Spatial Multiplexing in a Cellular Network

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for implementing spatial multiplexing in conjunction with the one or more multiple access protocols during the broadcast of information in a wireless network. A subscriber unit for use in a cellular system is disclosed. The subscriber unit includes: spatially separate receivers, a spatial processor, and a combiner. The spatially separate receivers receive the assigned channel composite signals resulting from the spatially separate transmission of the subscriber downlink datastream(s). The spatial processor is configurable in response to a control signal transmitted by the base station to separate the composite signals into estimated substreams based on information obtained during the transmission of known data patterns from at least one of the base stations. The spatial processor signals the base stations when a change of a spatial transmission configuration is required. The combiner combines the estimated substreams into a corresponding subscriber datastream.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 13/684,010,filed on Nov. 21, 2012, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No.12/823,057, filed on Jun. 24, 2010, which is a Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 10/929,015 filed on Aug. 26, 2004, which is aContinuation of application Ser. No. 09/564,770 filed on May 3, 2000 nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,757,265, which is a Division of application Ser. No.09/545,434 filed on Apr. 7, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,253 which is aContinuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/364,146 filed on Jul.30, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,290 all of which are incorporatedherein by reference herein.

COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patentfiles or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The field of the present invention relates in general to the field ofwireless broadcast of information using one or more multiple accessprotocols and in particular to methods and apparatus for implementingspatial multiplexing in conjunction with the one or more multiple accessprotocols during the broadcast of information.

2. Description of the Related Art

In wireless broadcast systems, information generated by a source istransmitted by wireless means to a plurality of receivers within aparticular service area. The transmission of such information requires afinite amount of bandwidth, and in current state of the art transmissionof information from different sources, must occur in different channels.

Since there are quite a few services (e.g. television, FM radio, privateand public mobile communications, etc.) competing for a finite amount ofavailable spectrum, the amount of spectrum which can be allocated toeach channel is severely limited. Innovative means for using theavailable spectrum more efficiently are of great value. In current stateof the art systems, such as cellular telephone or broadcast television,a suitably modulated signal is transmitted from a single base stationcentrally located in the service area or cell and propagated toreceiving stations in the service area surrounding the transmitter. Theinformation transmission rate achievable by such broadcast transmissionis constrained by the allocated bandwidth. Due to attenuations sufferedby signals in wireless propagation, the same frequency channel can bere-used in a different geographical service area or cell. Allowableinterference levels determine the minimum separation between basestations using the same channels. What is needed is a way to improvedata transfer speed in the multiple access environments currentlyutilized for wireless communications within the constraints of availablebandwidth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for implementingspatial multiplexing in conjunction with the one or more multiple accessprotocols during the broadcast of information in a wireless network.

In an embodiment of the invention, a wireless cellular network fortransmitting subscriber datastream(s) to corresponding ones among aplurality of subscriber units located within the cellular network isdisclosed. The wireless cellular network includes base stations and alogic. The base stations each include spatially separate transmittersfor transmitting in response to control signals and selected substreamsof each subscriber datastream on an assigned channel of a multipleaccess protocol. The logic communicates with each of the base stations.The logic assigns an available channel on which to transmit eachsubscriber datastream. The logic routes at least a substream of eachdatastream to at least a selected one of the base stations. The logicalso generates control signals to configure at least a selected one ofthe base stations to transmit the selected substreams to a correspondingone among the plurality of subscriber units on the assigned channel.

In an embodiment of the invention, a subscriber unit for use in acellular system with base stations, each including spatially separatetransmitters for transmitting selected substreams of at least one of aplurality of subscriber downlink datastream(s) on an assigned channel ofa multiple access protocol, is disclosed. The subscriber unit includes:spatially separate receivers, a spatial processor, and a combiner. Thespatially separate receivers receive the assigned channel compositesignals resulting from the spatially separate transmission of thesubscriber downlink datastream(s). The spatial processor is configurableresponse to a control signal transmitted by the base station to separatethe composite signals into estimated substreams based on informationobtained during the transmission of known data patterns from at leastone of the base stations or by using blind training techniques. Thespatial processor signals the base stations when a change of a spatialtransmission configuration is required in order to resolve the compositesignals into estimated downlink datastream(s). The combiner combines theestimated substreams into a corresponding subscriber datastream.

In another embodiment of the invention, a wireless cellular network fortransmitting subscriber downlink datastream(s) from a first network tosubscribers located within the wireless cellular network is disclosed.The wireless cellular network includes: base stations, subscriber unitsand a logic. The base stations are each configured for spatiallyseparate transmission of selected substreams of each subscriber downlinkdatastream on an assigned channel of a multiple access protocol. Thesubscriber units are each configured for spatially separate reception onthe assigned channel of the selected substreams, for combining thesubstreams into the corresponding subscriber datastream and forinitiating a change signal to at least one of the base stations when achange of a spatial transmission configuration is required in order toseparate the selected substreams. The logic communicates with each ofthe base stations and to the first network. The logic is configured toroute at least a substream of each subscriber downlink datastream to atleast a selected one of the base stations and further configured to varythe routing between a single base station and multiple base stations tovary a spatial transmission configuration of the selected substreams.

In another embodiment of the invention, a wireless cellular network forreceiving subscriber datastreams at corresponding ones among a pluralityof base stations located within the cellular network is disclosed. Thewireless cellular network includes: subscriber units and logic. Thesubscriber units each include spatially separate transmitters fortransmitting, in response to control signals, selected substreams ofeach subscriber datastream on an assigned channel of a multiple accessprotocol. The logic communicates with each of the base stations. Thelogic generates control signals to configure selected ones of the basestations to receive composite signals resulting from the spatiallyseparate transmission of the selected substreams from a correspondingone among the plurality of subscriber units on the assigned channel. Thelogic also converts the composite signals into estimate substreams andcombines the estimated substreams of each subscriber datastream intoeach subscriber datastream.

In another embodiment of the invention, a wireless cellular network fortransmitting subscriber downlink datastream(s) from a first network tosubscribers located within the wireless cellular network is disclosed.The wireless cellular network includes base stations and logic. The basestations include at least one transmitter, for transmitting in responseto control signals selected substreams of each subscriber datastream onan assigned channel of a multiple access protocol. The logiccommunicates with each of the base stations. The logic for assigns anavailable channel on which to transmit each subscriber datastream. Thelogic routes at least a substream of each datastream to at least aselected one of the base stations. The logic further generates controlsignals to configure the at least a selected one of the base stations totransmit the selected substreams to a corresponding one among theplurality of subscriber units on the assigned channel.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method for transmitting subscriberdownlink datastream(s) from base stations to corresponding ones among aplurality of subscriber units is disclosed. The method includes the actsof: routing at least a substream of each subscriber downlink datastreamto selected one of the base stations; transmitting the at least asubstream of each subscriber downlink datastream from the selected oneof the base stations on an assigned channel of a multiple accessprotocol; and re-routing at least a substream of each subscriberdownlink datastream between a single base station and multiple basestations responsive to a determination that a change of a spatialtransmission configuration of the at least a substream of eachsubscriber downlink datastream signal is required.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method for receivingsubscriber downlink datastream(s) transmitted from a plurality ofspatially separate transmitters is disclosed. The method includes theacts of: receiving signals generated from at least one of the pluralityof spatially separate transmitters; determining a number of substreamsto be derived from the signals; separating the signals into the numberof substreams determined in said act of determining; and combining thesubstreams into a corresponding subscriber downlink datastream.

In another embodiment of the invention, a wireless cellular network fortransmitting subscriber datastream(s) to corresponding ones among aplurality of subscriber units located within the cellular network isdisclosed. The wireless cellular network includes: means for routing atleast a substream of each subscriber downlink datastream to selectedones of the base stations; means for transmitting the at least asubstream of each subscriber downlink datastream from the selected onesof the base stations on an assigned channel of a multiple accessprotocol; and means for re-routing the at least a substream of eachsubscriber downlink datastream between a single base station andmultiple base stations responsive to a signal from a corresponding oneof the subscriber units requesting a change of spatial transmissionconfiguration.

In another embodiment of the invention, a subscriber unit for use in acellular system with base stations each including spatially separatetransmitters for transmitting selected substreams of at least one of aplurality of subscriber downlink datastream(s) on an assigned channel ofa multiple access protocol is disclosed. The subscriber unit includes:means for receiving signals generated from at least one of the pluralityof spatially separate transmitters; means for determining a number ofsubstreams to be derived from the signals; means for separating thesignals into the number of substreams determined in said act ofdetermining; means for combining the substreams into a correspondingsubscriber downlink datastream; and means for signaling the base when achange of a spatial transmission configuration is required in order toresolve the composite signals into estimated substreams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1A shows a wireless cellular network incorporating spatialmultiplexing and multiple access according to the current invention.

FIG. 1B is a detailed view of selected cells within the cellular networkshown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows a cell architecture that provides overlapping regionssuitable for multi-base spatial multiplexing.

FIGS. 2A-G show alternate embodiments for the subscriber units utilizedin the wireless cellular network shown in FIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 3A shows a detailed hardware block diagram of a single base stationand subscriber unit for use in the wireless cellular network shown inFIGS. 1A-B.

FIG. 3B shows a detailed hardware block diagram of a single base stationand subscriber unit as in FIG. 3A, wherein the subscriber unitinterfaces with a network.

FIGS. 4A-J show detailed hardware block diagrams of the multiple accesshardware for controlling the transmission of subscriber datastream(s)from one or more of the base stations within the wireless network.

FIGS. 5A-B show detailed hardware block diagrams of the hardwareassociated with the receipt of multiple subscriber datastream(s) at thebase stations of the wireless network of the current invention.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the signals and the symbols associatedwith the transmission and receipt of spatially multiplexed signalsaccording to an embodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 7A-B show detailed hardware block diagrams of the configurablespatial processor associated with the receiver circuitry receiver,according to an embodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 7C-D show detailed hardware block diagrams of a configurable spaceand space-time processor associated with the configurable spatialreceiver according to an embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 8 shows in band training and data signals for calibrating thespatially configurable receiver during the transmission of spatiallymultiplexed data, according to an embodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 9A-B are respectively detailed hardware block diagrams of aspatially multiplexed transmitter and receiver implementing atime-division multiple access protocol (TDMA), according to anembodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 10A-B are respectively detailed hardware block diagrams of aspatially multiplexed transmitter and receiver implementing afrequency-division multiple access protocol (FDMA), according to anembodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 11A-B are respectively detailed hardware block diagrams of aspatially multiplexed transmitter and receiver implementing acode-division multiple access protocol (CDMA), according to anembodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 12A-B are respectively detailed hardware block diagrams of aspatially multiplexed transmitter and receiver implementing aspace-division multiple access protocol (SDMA), according to anembodiment of the current invention.

FIGS. 13A-B are process flow diagrams showing the acts associated withrespectively the spatially multiplexed transmission and reception ofdatastream(s) in any one of a number of multiple access protocols,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of a hybrid DSL/wireless linkthat incorporates a spatially multiplexed remote wireless device.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic illustration of a hybrid cable/wireless linkthat incorporates a spatially multiplexed remote wireless device in anetwork access unit.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic illustration of a repeater BTS that utilizes aspatially multiplexed remote wireless device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A method and apparatus is disclosed which allows for both spatialmultiplexed and non-spatial wireless communications between portableunits and corresponding selected ones among a plurality of basestations. The methods and apparatus of the current invention may beimplemented on a dedicated wireless infrastructure or may besuperimposed on existing wireless communications systems, such ascellular telephone and paging services, which are currently in placearound the world. The methods and apparatus include implementation inany of a number of multiple access protocols.

Spatial Multiplexing and Multiple Access

Spatial multiplexing (SM) is a transmission technology which exploitsmultiple antennas at both the base station(s) and at the subscriberunits to increase the bit rate in a wireless radio link with noadditional power or bandwidth consumption. Under certain conditions,spatial multiplexing offers a linear increase in spectrum efficiencywith the number of antennas. Assuming, for example, N=3 antennas areused at the transmitter and receiver, the stream of possibly codedinformation symbols is split into three independent substreams. Thesesubstreams occupy the same channel of a multiple access (MA) protocol,the same time slot in a time-division multiple access (TDMA) protocol,the same frequency slot in frequency-division multiple access (FDMA)protocol, the same code/key sequence in code-division multiple access(CDMA) protocol or the same spatial target location in space-divisionmultiple access (SDMA) protocol. The substreams are applied separatelyto the N transmit antennas and launched into the radio channel. Due tothe presence of various scattering objects (buildings, cars, hills,etc.) in the environment, each signal experiences multipath propagation.The composite signals resulting from the transmission are finallycaptured by an array of receive antennas with random phase andamplitudes. For every substream the set of N received phases and Nreceived amplitudes constitute its spatial signature.

At the receive array, the spatial signature of each of the N signals isestimated. Based on this information, a signal processing technique isthen applied to separate the signals, recover the original substreamsand finally merge the symbols back together. Linear or nonlinearreceivers can be used providing a range of performance and complexitytrade-offs. A linear spatial multiplexing receiver can be viewed as abank of superposed spatial weighting filters, where every filter aims atextracting one of the multiplexed substreams by spatially nulling theremaining ones. This assumes, of course, that the substreams havedifferent signatures.

If the transmitter is equipped with M antennas, while the receiver has Nantennas, the rate improvement factor allowed by spatial multiplexing isthe minimum of these two numbers. Additional antennas on the transmit orreceive side are then used for diversity purposes and further improvethe link reliability by improving, for example, the signal-to-noiseratio or allowing for smaller fading margins, etc. Effectively spatialmultiplexing allows a transmitter receiver pair to communicate inparallel through a single MA channel, hence allowing for a possibleN-fold improvement of the link speed. More improvement is actuallyobtained if we take into account the diversity gain offered by themultiple antennas (for instance, in a Raleigh fading channel). Suchperformance factors are derived ideally under the assumption that thespatial signatures of the substreams are truly independent from eachother. In reality, the level of independence between the signatures willdetermine the actual link performance. The performance, however, usuallyexceeds that obtained by a single antenna at the transmitter andreceiver. For example, at two GHz, assuming the base station and thesubscriber unit are spaced apart by one mile and using three antennas ateach end of the link, a scattering radius of about 30 feet (both ends)is enough to achieve maximum performance.

FIG. 1A shows a plurality of subscriber units wirelessly coupled over acellular network to a network 100. Network 100 may include: a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), an adhoc network, avirtual private network, an intranet or the internet. The wirelesssystem includes: a central office (CO) 102, a master switch center (MSC)106, a ground based relay station 110, satellites (112), base stations120, 126 and 132 (BTS) and subscriber units 156, 138, 144, 150 and 162.The subscriber units may be mobile, fixed or portable. The base stationsmay be fixed or mobile. The base stations may include: a tower,satellites, balloons, planes, etc. The base station may be locatedindoors/outdoors. The cellular network includes one or more basestations, where each base station includes one or more spatiallyseparate transmitters.

The central office 102 is coupled to the network 100. Network 100 may becircuit switched (e.g. point-to-point) or packet switched network. Thecentral office is coupled to a master switching center 106. The MSC intraditional cellular systems is alternately identified as: a mobiletelephone switching office (MTSO) by Bell Labs, an electronic mobileXchange (EMX) by Motorola, an AEX by Ericcson, NEAX by NEC, a switchingmobile center (SMC) and a master mobile center (MMC) by Novatel. The MSCis coupled via data/control line 108 to the satellites via relay station110 and to the base stations. In an alternate embodiment of theinvention, base station controllers (BSC) may serve as intermediarycoupling points between the MSC and the base stations. In the embodimentshown, each of the BTS includes an array of spatially separate antennasfor transmission and/or reception. The BTS may also include traditionalantenna for whichever of the receive/transmit side of its communicationcapability lacks spatially separate antenna and associated circuitry.Antennas of a transmitter/receiver are defined to be spatially separateif they are capable of transmitting/receiving spatially separatesignals. Physically separate antenna may be used to transmit/receivespatially separate signals. Additionally, a single antenna may be usedto transmit/receive spatially separate signals provided it includes theability to transmit/receive orthogonal radiation patterns. Hereinafter,the phrase “spatially separate” shall be understood to include anyantenna or transmitter or receiver capable of communicating spatiallyseparate signals. The base stations are configured to communicate withsubscriber units of a traditional type, i.e. those lacking eitherspatially separate transmission/reception as well as spatially enabledsubscriber units, i.e. those including either or both spatially separatereception and transmission capabilities.

In operation, distinct subscriber datastream(s) 170, 176 and 182 arereceived by CO 102. The CO performs the initial routing of the datastreams to the appropriate one of a plurality of MSCs which may belocated across the country. The MSC performs several functions. Itcontrols the switching between the PSTN or network 100 and the BTSs forall wireline-to-subscriber, subscriber-to-wireline andsubscriber-to-subscriber calls. It processes/logic data received fromBTSs concerning subscriber unit status, diagnostic data and billcompiling information. In an embodiment of the invention, the MSCcommunicates with the base stations and/or satellites with a datalinkusing the X.25 protocol or IP protocol. The MSC also implements aportion of the spatial multiplexing and multiple access processes/logic(SM_MA) 104B of the current invention. Each BTS operates under thedirection of the MSC. The BTS and satellites 112 manage the channels atthe site, supervise calls, turn the transmitter/receiver on/off, injectdata onto the control and user channels and perform diagnostic tests onthe cell-site equipment. Each BTS and satellite also implement a portionof the SM MA processes/logic 104C. The subscriber units may be bothtraditional and spatially enabled and may still communicate over thesystem. Those subscriber units that are spatially enabled on either/boththe transmit/receive side of communications implement SM_MAprocesses/logic 104D as well.

The SM_MA processes/logic allow high bit rate communications with any ofthe SM_MA enabled subscriber units within existing bandwidth constraintsand within any of the multiple access (MA) protocols common to wirelesscommunications or combinations thereof. Those MA protocols include:time-division multiple access (TDMA), frequency-division multiple access(FDMA), code-division multiple access (CDMA), space-division multipleaccess (SDMA) and many other multiple access protocols known to thoseskilled in the art. The SM_MA processes/logic include the ability toselectively allocate spatially separate downlink or uplink capability toany spatially enabled subscriber within a multiple access environment.This capability allows, as to that subscriber, the elevation of bitrates well above those currently available. Thus, a whole new range ofsubscribers can be anticipated to take advantage of this capability.Utilizing this invention, it will be possible to provide a wirelessmedium for connecting workstations, servers and tele-video conferencesusing the existing cellular infrastructure with the adaptations providedby this invention. The SM_MA processes/logic involve splittingsubscriber datastream(s) destined for spatial multiplexing intosubstreams and intelligently routing and re-routing the substreamsduring a call session so as to maintain consistent quality of service(QoS). The substreams are communicated on the same channel using thesame access protocol, thus not requiring additional resources orbandwidth to implement. The processes/logic include: access protocolassignment, channel assignment, monitoring of spatial separation,determination/redetermination of spatial signatures for eachcommunication link, routing/re-routing between single-BTS and multi-BTS,handoff and control of substream parsing/combining.

In FIG. 1A, datastream(s) 170, 176 and 182 are shown originating onnetwork 100. The SM_MA processes/logic 104 have parsed and routedsubscriber data stream 170 into substreams 172-174, which aretransmitted on a single channel of a multiple access protocol over thespatially separate antenna 134-136 of BTS 132. Subscriber unit 138, viaspatially separate antenna 140-142, receives composite signals 172-174resulting from the substream transmission and utilizing SM_MAprocesses/logic 104D, derives the substream and original datastream 170therefrom. In the embodiment shown, the data is delivered to thecomputer 190 to which the fixed subscriber desktop unit 138 is coupled.The cellular environment may also be implemented utilizing aerialequivalents of the base stations. In the embodiment shown, a pluralityof satellites 112 generally deliver subscriber datastream(s) viaspatially separate antennae on each of the satellites to a cellularnetwork, i.e. 114.

In a circuit-switched embodiment of the invention, a call over acellular network may require using two channels simultaneously; onecalled the user channel and one called the control channel. The BTS(s)transmit and receive on what is called a forward/downlink controlchannel and the forward/downlink voice/data channel and the subscriberunit transmit/receive on the reverse/uplink control and voice/datachannels. Completing a call within a cellular radio system is quitesimilar to the PSTN. When a subscriber unit is first turned on, itperforms a series of startup procedures and then samples the receivedsignal strength on all user channels. The unit automatically tunes tothe channel with the strongest receive signal strength and synchronizesto the control data transmitted by the BTS(s). The subscriber unitinterprets the data and continues monitoring the controlled channels.The subscriber unit automatically re-scans periodically to ensure thatit is using the best control channel. Within a cellular system, callscan take place between a wireline party and a subscriber unit or betweentwo subscriber units. For wireline-to-subscriber unit calls, the MSCreceives a call from either a wireline party or in the form of a callsetup packet from the network 100. The MSC determines whether thesubscriber unit to which the call is destined is on/off hook. If thesubscriber unit is available, the MSC directs the appropriate BTS topage the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit responds to the BTSindicating its availability and spatial multiplexing capabilities,receive and/or transmit. Following the page response from the subscriberunit, the MSC/BTS switch assigns an idle channel, configures spatialprocessing capability on both the subscriber unit and BTS(s) ifappropriate, and instructs the subscriber unit to tune to that channel.The subscriber unit sends a verification of channel tuning to the BTS(s)and then sends an audible call progress tone to the subscriber I/O unitcausing it to ring. The switch terminates the call progress tone when itreceives positive indication the subscriber has answered and theconversation or communication has begun.

Calls between two subscriber units are also possible in the cellularradio system. To originate a call to another subscriber unit, thecalling party enters the called number into the unit's memory via thetouch pad and then presses the send key. The MSC receives the caller'sidentification number and the called number then determines if thecalled unit is free to receive the call. The MSC switch sends a pagecommand to all base stations and the called party, who may be anywherein the service area, receives the page. The MSC determines the spatialmultiplexing capability of both subscribers. Following a positive pagefrom the called party, the switch assigns each party an idle userchannel and instructs each party to tune into that respective channel.Then the called party's phone rings. When the system receives notice thecalled party has answered the phone, the switch terminates the callprogress tone and a communication can begin between two subscriberunits. If spatial multiplexing is enabled, the communication link willinclude that capability.

One of the most important features of the cellular system is its abilityto transfer calls that are already in progress from one cell site/basestation to another as a subscriber unit moves from cell to cell orcoverage area to coverage area within the cellular network. Thistransfer process is called a handoff. Computers at the BTS transfercalls from cell to cell with minimal disruption and no degradation inquality of transmission. The handoff decision algorithm is based onvariations in signal strength. When a call is in progress, the MSCmonitors the received signal strength of each user channel. If thesignal level on an occupied channel drops below a predeterminedthreshold for more than a given time interval, the switch performs ahandoff provided there is a vacant channel. In a traditional non-SMcellular system a traditional handoff involves switching thetransmission point of a subscriber session (datastream) from one BTS toanother. In the current invention various types of handoff, e.g. partialand full may take place. The handoff operation may involve the MSCre-routing the call and the entire datastream or selected substreamsthereof to different antennas of the same BTS or to a new BTS/BTSs inwhole or in part. Where the re-routing is partial, at least onesubstream communication path is left unchanged while other of thesubstreams are re-routed to antennas on another BTSs. Where the handoffis full the multiple substreams transmitted from one or more BTSs arere-routed to other BTS(s).

In an embodiment of the invention utilizing a packet switchedarchitecture, call setup may be implemented using protocols including:ALOHA, slotted-ALOHA, carrier sense multiple access (CSMA), TDMA, FDMA,CDMA, SDMA, etc., or any combination thereof.

BTS 132, in the embodiment shown, includes spatially separate antennaarray. There may be any number of antennas. In some spatialenvironments, baud rates for spatially multiplexed communications on asingle channel will increase linearly with the number of antennasallocated by subscriber unit and BTSs to a call session. In theembodiment shown, each BTSs array includes at least two antennas 134 and136. The BTS may include either or both spatial multiplexing capabilityon the downlink (transmit) or uplink (receive) side. In the embodimentshown, each BTS includes spatial multiplexing capability on both thedownlink and uplink. Although each of the following embodiments utilizestwo antennas to implement SM, any number of antennas on a single BTS ormultiple BTSs may be utilized without departing from the scope of theinvention.

FIG. 1B shows a more detailed view of the BTS and subscriber units shownin FIG. 1A. Each BTS includes two spatially separate antennas. BTS 120includes antennas 122-124. BTS 126 includes antennas 128-130. BTS 132includes antennas 134-136. In the embodiment shown, many of thesubscriber units also include at least two spatially separate antennas.Subscriber unit 150 includes spatially separate antennas 152-154. In theembodiment shown, the MSC handles the routing of subscriberdatastream(s) 170, 176 and 182 from network 100 to the appropriate BTSsfor transmission to the appropriate subscriber unit. In an embodiment ofthe invention, the SM_MA processes/logic include the ability todetermine whether to implement or not implement spatial multiplexing(SM), based on either the presence/absence of SM capabilities in thecorresponding subscriber unit and/or on the nature of the datastream.If, for example, the subscriber lacks SM capability on either or boththe uplink/downlink, then the corresponding datastream will not beparsed into substreams. Alternately, even if the subscriber unit and BTShave SM capability on both downlink and uplink, certain types ofdatastream(s) may not require SM processing. Examples of these mightinclude: traditional voice call sessions, call sessions which requireonly low QoS or datastream(s) which require only very low bit rates orare susceptible to buffering and delayed transmission.

In the example shown in FIG. 1B, datastream 182 is traditional modetraffic, e.g. a subscriber telephone call between an upstream subscriberand the subscriber unit 144. Subscriber unit 144 is located within acell serviced by BTS 132. Under the control of MSC 106, the datastream182 is transmitted over signal line 108 directly to the correspondingbase station 132 without being split or parsed into associatedsubstreams. In the example shown, datastream(s) 182 is transmitted froma single antenna, e.g. antenna 134, without any SM techniques. Thattransmission is received by the subscriber unit 144. As discussed above,subscriber unit 144 may be a traditional cell phone lacking SMcapability. Alternately, subscriber unit 144 may be SM enabled but,nevertheless, receives the call in traditional mode after appropriatelyconfiguring itself to opt out of SM receive side processes/logic,electing instead traditional mode.

In the example shown, datastream(s) 170 is handled using SM_MAprocesses/logic 104_. The datastream 170 and/or substreams thereof,depending on the embodiment, is routed by the MSC to BTS 132. Theprocesses/logic 104 provide to each antenna 134-136 of BTS 132 a singlesubstream derived from the original datastream 170, on a common channelwithin the appropriate access protocol. Those substreams are received ascomposite signals by the spatially separate antenna 140-142 (see FIG.2B) of subscriber unit 138. The subscriber unit 138, utilizing SM-MAprocesses/logic 104D, derives the substreams from the composite signalsand combines these into the initially transmitted datastream(s) 170.

Datastream(s) 176 is also subject to SM_MA processes/logic 104_. Thedatastream 176 and/or substreams thereof, depending on the embodiment,is routed by the MSC, initially to BTS 132 for single-base transmissionto subscriber unit 150. SM-MA processes/logic implemented collectivelyat the MSC 106 and BTS 132 result in the splitting/parsing of thedatastream(s) 176 into substreams 178-180. Initially those substreamsare received as composite signals by the spatially separate antenna152-154 (see FIG. 2C) of subscriber unit 150. The subscriber unit 150,utilizing SM_MA processes/logic 104D, derives the substreams from thecomposite signals and combines these into the initially transmitteddatastream(s) 176.

Implementing SM or SM_MA communications between the BTS and theassociated subscriber unit may be either line-of-site (LOS) ormultipath. Multipath communications are likely in environments, such asa city, where buildings and other objects deflect signals transmittedfrom the BTS many times before their arrival at the subscriber unit.Under certain conditions, it may be the case that transmissionsoriginating from spatially separate antennas of a single BTS may arriveat a subscriber unit along signal paths which cannot be spatiallyseparated by the antenna array on the subscriber unit. Where this is thecase, it may be necessary for the processes/logic to reconfigure thespatial transmission characteristics of the substreams so that they maybe received at the corresponding portable unit in a manner which isspatially separable. In the example shown, the substreams 180 and 178_Sare transmitted initially from a single BTS 132. When a determination ismade, either by the BTS or subscriber unit that separation of thesubstreams is not possible, a spatial reconfiguration is initiated bythe spatial multiplexing processes/logic 104. The determination might,for example, result from the subscriber unit signaling the BTS or fromthe BTS determining that the bit error rate (BER) of the transmissionexceeded an acceptable level. In an alternate embodiment of theinvention in which base and subscriber communicate over a commonchannel, the signaling from the subscriber to the base station(s) for achange of a spatial transmission configuration is simplified. The BTSmay, by analyzing the received signals, determine that they can not beadequately separated and in response, alter the spatial configuration ofthe transmissions to the subscriber unit with which it shares a channel.In the example shown, this reconfiguration results in a change ofspatial configuration to multi-base transmission. Substream 178_M isre-routed through BTS 120 and specifically antenna 122. Becausesubscriber unit 150 is positioned in an area in which the transmissionsfrom BTS 120 and 132 overlap, the change in spatial configuration ispossible. The increased spatial separation on the transmit sideincreases likelihood that the substreams can be spatially separated bythe subscriber unit 150 and its associated SM-MA processes/logic 104D.

FIG. 1C shows another embodiment of the current invention in which acell architecture which provides overlapping regions suitable formulti-base spatial multiplexing is shown. As in normal cellularstructure, co-channel interference is avoided by ensuring that cellsoperating in the same frequency are spaced apart. In the example shown,BTSs 186A-C form an overlapping region between them in which they areshown in spatially multiplexed communication with subscriber unit 138.BTSs 186C-E form an overlapping region between them, in which they areshown in spatially multiplexed communication with subscriber unit 150A.BTSs 186C, F-G also form an overlapping region between them, in whichthey are shown in spatially multiplexed communication with subscriberunit 150B. The communications with subscriber units 138, 150A-B areconducted on separate channels to avoid co-channel interference.Diversity techniques can be simultaneously implemented. More distantcells may re-use the same channels provided co-channel interference istolerable.

FIGS. 2A-G show alternate embodiments of subscriber units which may beeither fixed, portable or mobile. FIG. 2A shows a mobile cellular phone144 with a single antenna 146. In an embodiment of the invention, thesingle antenna includes the capability of transmitting and/or receivingspatially separable signals utilizing orthogonal di-poles. In analternate embodiment of the invention, subscriber unit 144 is atraditional cellular phone which does not have the capability oftransmitting/receiving a spatially separable signal. Either embodimentmay be compatible with the system shown in FIGS. 1A-B, provided thatsystem includes an embodiment of the invention with the ability todetect the transceiver capabilities of the subscriber units and toconfigure communications between that unit and the corresponding BTSaccordingly.

FIG. 2B shows a fixed subscriber unit 138 coupled to a computer 190. Inthis embodiment, high-speed data communications between computer 190 anda wireless communication network with spatial multiplexing capabilitiesis enabled by fixed subscriber unit 138. Fixed subscriber unit 138 isshown with an antenna array including antennas 140-142. In theembodiment shown, additional antennas are provided. These may beutilized either for spatial multiplexing or to implementreceive/transmit processing, e.g. diversity techniques, beam forming,interference cancellation, etc., the latter for the purpose of improvingcommunication quality and link budget. The current state of the artrequires a minimum separation between antennas 140-142, i.e. DIequivalent to ½ the carrier wavelength. Further improvements in signalprocessing may avoid this requirement.

FIG. 2C shows a mobile subscriber unit, i.e. a cellular telephone 150,reconfigured for implementation of SM or SM_MA on either or both of thetransmit (uplink) or receive (downlink) side of its communication withthe BTSs. To this end, the antennas 152-154 are provided.

FIG. 2D shows a personal digital assistant (PDA) 200 and associateddocking station 202 configured to implement SM or SM_MA communicationson either or both the transmit and receive portions of itscommunications. To this end, the antenna array, which in the embodimentshown, includes two antennas 204-206 is provided. An example of personaldigital assistants currently on the market that could be configured toutilize the current invention is the Palm Pilot™ product sold by 3ComCorporation.

FIG. 2E shows a mobile subscriber unit 210 implemented as part of anautomobile 216. The antenna array associated with this unit is notshown. The use of SM or SM_MA wireless communications between vehiclesand base stations can provide such benefits as vehicle navigation,routing, and diagnostics.

FIG. 2F shows a notebook computer 220 configured for SM or SM_MAcommunication utilizing an antenna array with antennas 222-224 andassociated hardware and processes/logic.

FIG. 2G shows a fixed subscriber unit 138 incorporated into a wirelessrouter or bridge 235, which is coupled to a wired network 240. In thisembodiment, the subscriber unit 138 serves as a high speed wirelessconnection between the wired network and the wireless communicationnetwork. The network 240 can take any suitable form including a localarea network, a wide area network, an intranet, etc. It should beappreciated that in this arrangement, a wireless link is simply beingused to connect two networks and such wireless links can be used in awide variety of applications. For example, the wireless link can be usedto provide high speed Internet access to the network 240. In theembodiment shown, the fixed subscriber unit 138 is shown as beingincorporated into a router or bridge 235. However, it should beappreciated that the subscriber unit can readily be incorporated into avariety of network components having a variety of functionalities. Forexample, the router or bridge can further include firewall capabilities,etc.

FIG. 3A is a detailed hardware block diagram of a subscriber unit 138and a BTS 132. The BTS 132 includes: a multiple access spatialtransmitter 310, a multiple access spatial receiver 330, a controllermodule 320 and upstream processes/logic 300, further details of whichare provided in the accompanying FIGS. 4-5. The subscriber unit 138includes: a multiple access spatially configured receiver 380, amultiple access spatially configured transmitter 350 and a control unit370. The multiple access spatial transmitter 310 includes: a selector312, a final transmission stage 316 and optionally may include transmitprocesses/logic 314. The final stage transmitter 316 is coupled to aspatially separate antenna array which includes antennas 134T-136T.

In operation, the subscriber datastream(s) and/or substreams thereof areprovided to the selector 312 from the upstream processes/logic 300.Utilizing either in band or out of band control signals embodied in thedatastream(s)/substreams themselves or separately communicated from theSM_MA processes/logic at the MSC 106 or elsewhere, the selectorimplements the MA protocol utilized by the wireless network. Thatprotocol, as discussed above, may include: TDMA, FDMA, CDMA or SDMA, forexample. The selector places each of the datastream(s)/substreams on theappropriate channel. Each of the datastream(s)/substreams are thenpassed through the optional transmit processes/logic, in which any of anumber of well-known prior art signal processing techniques may beimplemented to improve the quality of transmission. These techniquesinclude, but are not limited to, diversity processing, space-timecoding, and beam forming. The datastream(s)/substreams are then passedto the final transmit stage 316. Traditional mode traffic may be routedby the SM_MA processes/logic 104 to the appropriate antenna 134T-136Tfor transmission. If diversity processing is implemented, eventraditional mode traffic may be transmitted using multiple antennas.Spatial mode traffic, i.e. the individual substreams thereof, will berouted to the appropriate one of the two antennas 134T-136T.

On the receive side, the subscriber unit SM_MA configurable receiver 380includes: receiver first stage 382, optional receive processes/logic384, spatial/space-time processor 386, decoder 388, combiner 390 and I/Omodule 392. The receiver first stage is coupled to a spatially separateantenna array, e.g. antennas 140R-142R. Utilizing in/out of band controlsignals, the SM_MA configurable receiver 380 of the subscriber unit 138,in the embodiment shown, may be configured for spatial/traditional modesignal reception on the requisite channel within the multiple accessprotocol. In the case of spatial mode communications, the antenna array,e.g. antennas 140R-142R, detect downlink composite signals derived fromthe spatially separate transmission of the substreams through antennas134T-136T. These composite signals are down converted, demodulated andsampled by the receiver first stage 382. The composite signals are thenpassed to the receive processing module 384 and may be subject toreceive side processing if implemented. From the receive processingmodule, the composite signals are passed to the spatial processor 386.The spatial/space-time processor via in/out band control signals is alsoconfigured to derive the appropriate number of substreams, i.e.equivalent to the number transmitted, from the BTS(s). Utilizing logicassociated with space/space-time processing (see FIGS. 7A-D), thatprocessor, in conjunction with decoder 388, generates estimated sourcesubstreams which are passed to the combiner 390. The combiner 390 viain/out band control signals is also configured to combine the substreamsinto an estimated subscriber datastream(s) corresponding to thattransmitted from the BTS 132. The datastream(s) are passed to the I/Omodule for presentment/delivery as, e.g., audio, image or data. Wherecommunications are asymmetric, the uplink may, in an embodiment of theinvention, not include SM capability, leaving that capability to thedownlink alone. This asymmetric capability may be implemented on eitherthe downlink or the uplink without departing from the scope of thisinvention.

The uplink from the subscriber unit 138 to the BTS 132 may use the sameor different hardware/firmware/processes/logic to that utilized for thedownlink. In an embodiment of the invention, the uplink is traditionalwith no SM_MA capability. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the uplinkincludes both SM and MA processes/logic. The datastream(s) received bythe I/O module 352 are passed to parser 354. In an embodiment of theinvention, the parser is configurable to generate a traditionaldatastream or a variable number of substreams thereof. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the parser parses all datastream(s) into afixed number of substreams. Where there are no SM uplink capabilitiesthere is no parser. In other embodiments of the invention, theconfigurable parser also includes a mode detector to determine whetherthe datastream(s) should be split into substreams. That determination,as discussed above, may be based on any number of criteria including,but not limited to, traditional vs. spatial mode, QoS, bit raterequirement, feasibility, etc. In such an embodiment, when the modedetector determines that spatial mode transmission of the datastream isappropriate, the parser will split the datastream(s) into a plurality ofsubstreams, the number of which may itself be configurable. Thesesubstreams are then passed to the selector 356. The selector responsiveto in/out of band control signals implements the appropriate accessprotocol, including the placement of the datastream(s) and/or substreamsonto the appropriate channel within that protocol. The datastream(s)and/or substreams thereof are then optionally passed to transmitprocesses/logic 358, which may implement any number of well-known priorart signal processing techniques, including the above discusseddiversity methodology, to improve signal reception. The substreamsand/or datastream(s) are then passed to the final transmit stage 360where they are encoded, modulated, and up-converted for transmission ona single channel through spatially separate transmit antennas 140T-142T.Composite signals corresponding thereto are received by antennas134R-136R of the SM_MA configurable receiver 330 of the BTS.

As discussed above, where the uplink is asymmetric, the BTS may notimplement or require SM on the uplink. Nevertheless, in the embodimentshown, the receiver 330 is SM_MA configurable. The receiver 330 includesa first stage receiver 332, mobility detector 334, receiveprocesses/logic 336, spatial/space-time processor 338 and a decoder 340.The composite signals are passed by antennas 134R-136R to the firststage receiver. This is configurable to receive the communications onthe appropriate channel within the MA protocol as determined by SM_MAprocesses/logic 104. These composite signals aredown-converted/demodulated and sampled. In an embodiment of theinvention, the mobility detector 334 monitors the composite signals forDoppler shift/spread. Doppler shift/spread of the composite signalscorrelates with the mobility or lack thereof of the subscriber unit. Theabsence of a Doppler shift/spread indicates that the subscriber unit isfixed. This determination on the part of the mobility detector may beused to initiate one or more of the following processes/logic: spatialreconfiguration, training/retraining of the spatial/space-timeprocessors and/or handoff. In an embodiment of the invention in whichnon-blind in band training is implemented, training/retraining mayinclude varying the training interval or duration or selection of adifferent training sequence. The composite signals are then passed tothe optional receiver processes/logic 336. These processes/logic, asdescribed above, may include any of a number of well-known techniquesincluding diversity processing. The composite signals are then passed tothe configurable space/space-time processor 338. Utilizing in/out ofband control signals from the MSC and/or the subscriber unit, thespace/space-time processor configures itself to generate a number ofsubstreams or a single datastream(s) equivalent to those transmittedfrom the corresponding subscriber unit. These estimated subscribersubstreams/datastream(s) are then passed to the decoder 340. The decoderdecodes the symbols to their corresponding binary equivalent. Thedatastream(s) and/or substreams are then passed to upstreamprocesses/logic 300.

Both the subscriber unit 138 and the BTS 132 are shown to includerespectively control modules 370 and 320. These control modulesimplement a subset of the control processes/logic 104 required toimplement the SM_MA processes, such as training of the space/space-timeprocessors 338 and 386, etc.

Training

Training refers to the requirement that, in order to implement aspace/space-time processing on the receive side of whichever linkdown/up is implementing SM, it is necessary that the space/space-timeprocessor be equipped with an appropriate model of the spatialcharacteristics of the environment in which the signals will be passedbetween the subscriber unit and the associated BTS(s). Different typesof training methodology may be appropriate, depending on whether thesubscriber units are fixed/mobile, and if mobile, depending on the speedat which they are moving. Where a subscriber unit is fixed, training maybe accomplished on installation of the unit, at setup of a call orduring a call session. Where a subscriber unit is mobile,training/retraining must take place continuously or intermittently.Training for a fixed subscriber unit may take place intermittently aswell, although generally at a lower frequency than that associated witha mobile subscriber unit.

Training is generally categorized as blind or non-blind. Training isnon-blind when it is incorporated intermittently/continuously usingin/out of band training signals, e.g. known sequences such as Walshcodes, transmitted between subscriber unit and BTS(s). Training is blindwhen it takes place without such signals, relying instead onnon-Gaussianity, CM, FA, cyclostationarity or the spatial structure,such as the array manifold. The performance of blind methods will, ofcourse, be sensitive to the validity of structural properties assumed.An excellent reference on the subject, which is incorporated herein byreference as if fully set forth herein, is found in: “Space-TimeProcessing for Wireless Communications”, Arogyaswami J. Paulraj andPapadias, IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, November 1997, at pages49-83. In an embodiment of the invention, non-blind training methods areutilized to configure the space/space-time processors. Further detailson the space/space-time processor will be provided in the followingFIGS. 7A-D and accompanying text.

Control module 320 includes: processor 324, clock 326, training module328 and memory 322 for the storage of weights/parameters for thespace/space-time processor 338. Control module 370 in the subscriberunit 138 includes: processor 374, clock 376, training module 378 andmemory 372 for the storage of weights/parameters for thespace/space-time processor 386. In the embodiment of the invention shownin FIG. 3, the CPU implements the training portion of the controlprocesses/logic 104. In alternate embodiments of the invention, the CPUmay be utilized to implement other of the control processes/logic. Instill other embodiments of the invention, the training portion of thecontrol processes/logic is handled upstream at such locations as the MSCor the CO.

In an embodiment of the invention which implements non-blind training,the mobility detector 334 signals the CPU 324 when a subscriber unitexhibits minimal Doppler shift/spread, e.g. is fixed. In an embodimentof the invention, the CPU 324 directs the transmit module 310 to signalsubscriber unit 138 at call setup, or at the start of a call session, touse stored parameters from an earlier training session or to process asetup training session transmitted by the BTS. In another embodiment ofthe invention, the CPU may reduce the frequency or duration of atraining sequence responsive to a determination that the Dopplershift/spread is minimal.

On the BTS side, the training module 328 inserts a known trainingsequence, e.g. Walsh code, into the downlink transmissions and these areprocessed by the CPU 374 of the subscriber unit and weights derivedtherefrom which allow the space/space-time processor 386 to separate thetraining sequence spatially broadcast from the antenna array of theBTS(s). Similarly, where the uplink implements SM, the subscriber unittraining module 378 inserts a known training sequence into the uplinktransmissions as well. These are in turn processed by the CPU 324 andappropriate weights derived therefrom stored in the spatial processor338 for use with the uplink communications during the call/data-transfersession. Whenever training/re-training takes place, weights arerecalculated and stored for use in subsequent SM communications.

Where the mobility detector 334 determines that the subscriber unit ismobile, an alternate non-blind training methodology may be implemented.In an embodiment of the invention, that methodology shown in FIG. 8involves inserting into in/out of band downlink communications the knowntraining sequence. This allows updating of the spatialparameters/weights by the corresponding subscriber unit and itsspace/space-time processor. This capability allows spatial multiplexingto be implemented in both a mobile and a fixed environment. In stillanother embodiment of the invention, the duration/frequency at which thetraining intervals are inserted into the up/down link communications maybe varied depending on the mobility of the subscriber unit.

In still another embodiment of the invention, blind training methods maybe implemented. These unsupervised methods do not need training signalsbecause they exploit the inherent structure of the communicationsignals.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the processes/logic 104and the associated modules/blocks discussed above and in the followingdisclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware orcombinations thereof without departing from the teachings of thisinvention. They may be implemented on a single chip, such as a digitalsignal processor (DSP), or application specific integrated circuits(ASIC). On the upstream side (i.e., BTS, MSC, CO, etc.), the SM_MAprocesses/logic 104 may physically reside in any one or all upstreamunits. The processes/logic may be implemented using master-slave controlrelationship between CO/MSC and BTS or peer-to-peer control relationshipbetween BTSs alone, or distributed control between CO/MSC and BTS.

FIG. 3B illustrates a detailed hardware block diagram of a subscriberunit 138 and a BTS 132 similar to the system described in FIG. 3A. Thedifference in this embodiment is that the subscriber unit is connectedto a network 240 and thus the 110 modules 352 and 392 in the transmitter350 and receiver 380 respectively are coupled to the network 240. Ofcourse, the subscriber unit could readily communicate with any type ofnetwork or network device.

FIGS. 4A-F show an embodiment of the BTS/MSC/CO side of theprocesses/logic 104_for implementing SM_MA. FIGS. 4A-B and 4D-E show apartial handoff.

FIG. 4A shows BTSs 120 and 132 coupled to MSC 106 and to the associatedupstream processes/logic 300 of processes/logic 104.sub.13. The BTS 120is shown with the associated final transmission stage 316B and theselector 312B. The BTS 132 is shown coupled to the final transmissionstage 316A and to the selector 312A. The upstream processes/logic 300include a detector 400, parser unit 402 and router 420. The parser unit402 includes a parser module 404 and clock 406 as well as a stretcher408 and its clock 410. The MSC 106 is shown coupled via its data/controlline 108 to each of the above-discussed modules.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the coupling between theMSC and each of the above-discussed hardware and software modulesrepresents a master/slave embodiment of the current invention. Inalternate embodiments of the invention, peer-to-peer control methodologymay be utilized instead. In still another embodiment of the invention,distributed control methodology may be implemented, e.g. each of theabove-discussed modules may contain additional intelligence, sufficientto signal downstream/upstream modules as to the appropriateconfiguration to adopt, responsive to the datastream(s)/substreams beingprocessed, the channel and access methodology to be utilized.

Datastream(s) 176 is delivered to mode detector 400. In this embodimentof the invention, a mode detection is utilized. As discussed above, thismodule provides the capability of distinguishing datastream(s).Datastream(s) might, as discussed, be categorized as traditional vs.spatial, or on the basis of QoS or bit rate requirement. In theembodiment shown, the detector 400 determines that the datastream(s) 176is destined for spatial mode processing. Responsive to thatdetermination, the parser 404 is configured to parse the datastream(s)176 into a plurality of the substreams. In the example shown, the twosubstreams 450-452 are generated by the parser. The substreams eachcontain a portion of the actual data from the original datastream(s).The function of the stretcher 408, to which the substreams are passed,is to effectively lower the baud rate at which the substreams aretransmitted. Figuratively, this is accomplished by clocks 406 and 410which are coupled to respectively the parser and the stretcher. Clock410 operates at a rate which is a fraction of the rate of clock 406. Thespecific fraction is determined by the number of substreams generated bythe parser 404. For example, if parser 404 generates from a singledatastream(s) two substreams, then each of the substreams will betransmitted at a baud rate which is effectively ½ that of the originaldatastream(s). The stretched substreams are then passed to the router420. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the substreams neednot be stretched, rather buffered and transmitted at the same baud ratein bursts, if the channel will support the resultant communication rate.The router operating, in the embodiment shown, under the control of theMSC 106 sends the selected substreams 454 and 456 to a single BTS 132for single-base spatial transmission from each of the spatially separateantenna of that BTS. Those substreams passed through the selector 312are injected on an appropriate channel within the multiple accessprotocol. The channel determination is made by the SM_MA processes/logic104 that portion of which may be localized in a master/slave controlimplementation at the MSC. The substreams are then passed to the finaltransmission stage 316A for transmission to the subscriber unit 150 (seeFIG. 6).

FIG. 4B shows hardware/software modules identical to those discussedabove in connection with FIG. 4A. The router 420, responsive to a signalfrom, for example, the MSC 106 has re-routed one of the substreams toBTS 120. That substream 454 is passed to the selector 312B associatedwith BTS 120. The corresponding substream 456 is presented to selector312A associated with BTS 132. Under the control of the MSC, eachselector is directed to place the substreams on the same MA channel oneach of the base stations. The final transmission stages 316A-B of eachBTS places the substreams on one antenna of its spatially separateantenna array for transmission to the subscriber 150. The subscriber 150is in a location in which the signals from base stations 120 and 132overlap. The composite signals 180 and 178_M resulting from thetransmission of spatially distinct subscriber substreams are receivedwith spatially separable signatures by the subscriber unit 150 which, asdiscussed above, is equipped with spatially separate antennas.

The determination to move from a single-base spatial transmission (seeFIG. 4A) to multi-base spatial transmission, as shown in FIG. 4B, may bemade as a result of any one of the number of distinct determinationmethods. In the first of these methods, an evaluator portion of eitherthe space/space-time processor 386 or the decoder 388 of the subscriberunit 138 determines that an incoming composite signal cannot bespatially separated into the required number of substreams. In responseto this determination, the subscriber unit signals the BTS that a changeof spatial configuration is required. This signal is processed by theBTS and may be passed to the MSC 106. In response, the MSC directs therouter and selected BTSs, e.g. BTSs 120 and 132, to prepare for andtransmit the substreams on an assigned channel. This transition fromsingle-base to multi-base spatial transmission is handled transparentlyto the subscriber, in order to maintain a consistent QoS throughout thetransmission by increasing the spatial separation of the transmittedsubstreams.

FIG. 4C shows an alternate embodiment of the invention that includes thecapability of mode detecting between, for example, traditional andspatial mode datastreams. Datastream(s) 182 is presented to detector 400via data/control line 108. The datastream(s) might, for example, be atraditional subscriber telephone call or a datastream which has both alow bit rate and QoS requirement. To minimize resources, it may beadvantageous for the parser unit 402 to be configurable, so as not tosubject all incoming datastream(s) to parsing or, if parsed, so as notto parse into a fixed number of substreams. In the embodiment shown,such capability is implemented. The detector determines that thedatastream is traditional mode. That determination may result in theparser avoiding the parsing of the datastream 182. The datastream(s) 182is passed unparsed to the router 420. The router 420 passes thedatastream(s) 182 to the selector 312A of the associated BTS 132. Underthe control of the MSC the selector and the final transmissions stage316A inject the datastream(s) 182 on the appropriate channel of theappropriate multiple access protocol and transmit it via a selected oneof the antennas, within the array from which it is received, bysubscriber unit 144. That subscriber unit may be a traditional mobilephone lacking any spatial transmission characteristics. Alternately, thesubscriber unit may be spatially configurable as well (see FIG. 2A). Inthis latter case, BTS 132 injects a control signal to the spatiallyconfigurable subscriber unit 144 and, in particular, to the configurablespace/space-time processor thereof, indicating that the incomingcomposite signals are to be treated as a single datastream(s). As willbe obvious to those skilled in the art, traditional mode datastreamsincluding, for example, traditional voice telephone calls, may besubject to SM.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, each of theabove-discussed datastream(s) 178, 176, 182 may include multiplesubscriber sessions, time-division multiplexed for example. In thiscase, all the above-mentioned methodology may be practiced successivelyon each of the subscriber sessions of a single datastream.

FIG. 4D shows multiple subscriber datastream(s) presented to thedetector 400. Specifically datastream(s) 176 and 182 are shown. Thefirst of these datastream(s) is destined for spatial treatment and thesecond of these datastream(s) 182 is destined for non-spatial treatment.This determination is made by the mode detector 400 based on criteriaincluding, but not limited to, those discussed above. The parsing unit402 is, in this embodiment of the invention, configurable toconcurrently handle multiple subscriber sessions. Upon receipt ofcontrol information received either directly from the detector 400 orindirectly from the MSC 106, the parsing module 402 performs thefollowing concurrent operations. The traditional mode datastream(s) 182is left unparsed and passed directly to the router 420. The spatial modedatastream(s) 176 is parsed by parser 404 into substreams 450-452. Thesesubstreams are stretched in stretcher 408, as discussed above, andpassed to router 420. The router 420, operating under the control of theMSC, for example, directs each of the datastream(s) and substreams to asingle BTS 132 and specifically the associated selector 312A of thatBTS.

These substreams generated by the parser are labeled 450-452. Thesubstreams passed by the router are labeled 454-456. This change inreference number is meant to indicate that the initial parsing operationmay be accompanied by a lowering of the bit rate or stretching of theclock on which these substreams are transmitted. As will be obvious tothose skilled in the art, an alternate methodology for implementing theinvention would be to maintain the same the bit rate, provided it wascompatible with the bandwidth of the wireless channel on which thetransmission was to take place, and to buffer the data accordingly fortransmission in bursts, along with other similarly processeddatastream(s)/substreams. Under the direction of the MSC, for example,the selector 312A and final transmission stage 316A of BTS 132 transmitthe substreams 454-456 on a common channel and, depending on the accessmethodology, may transmit the datastream(s) 182 on the same or anotherchannel. Signal 182 is transmitted from an antenna of BTS 132 tosubscriber unit 144. The individual substreams and the associatedsignals 180, 178_S of the spatial mode datastream(s) 176 are transmittedto the subscriber unit 150.

FIG. 4E shows an embodiment of the invention identical to that describedand discussed above in connection with FIG. 4D. Router 420 re-routes oneof the substreams 454-456 of the spatially processed datastream(s) 176to form a multi-base spatial transmission configuration. Thatdetermination to re-route, as discussed above, may originate either fromsignals received from the corresponding one of the subscriber unitswhich is unable to spatially separate the substreams or alternately mayresult from a determination by the BTS initially implementingsingle-base transmission that the bit error rate (BER) is unacceptablyhigh. In this example, subscriber unit 144 continues to receivecomposite datastream(s) 182 from an antenna on BTS 132. The compositesignals received by subscriber 150 now, however, originate from amulti-base configuration. The substream 454 has been re-routed by router420 to BTS 120, so the composite signals 180, 178_M originate from BTSs132,120, respectively.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art of the reference, insingle or a multi-base spatial transmission, discussion to a substreambeen transmitted from a single antenna, should not be interpreted as alimitation on the teachings of this invention. A single substream insingle or multi-base configuration may be transmitted from more than oneantenna, if diversity or beam forming transmit processes are implementedin addition to spatial multiplexing.

FIGS. 4-J show an alternate embodiment of the invention in which therouter, as described and discussed above in connection with FIGS. 4A-E,is positioned upstream of the parsing unit rather than downstream ofthat unit. Consequently, each of the base stations has associated withit a corresponding parsing unit. FIGS. 4F-G and FIGS. 4I-J show apartial handoff.

FIG. 4F shows MSC 106, BTSs 120 and 132 and the upstream processes/logic300. Each of the base stations 120 and 132 includes selectors and finaltransmission stages. Within the upstream processes/logic 300, thedetector 400 communicates directly to the router 422. The router, inturn, communicates directly with the parsing units 402A-B associatedwith BTSs 132 and 120, respectively. Single-base spatial processing ofsubscriber datastream(s) 176 is shown. The subscriber datastream(s) 176is received by the detector 400. The detector determines that the modeof the datastream(s) is spatial and that information is passed to therouter 422. The router routes the datastream(s) 176 to the appropriateparsing unit 402A. The parsing module 404A of that unit parses thedatastream(s) into substreams, e.g. substreams 450-452. Those substreamsare passed to stretcher 408A which is coupled to selector 312A. Theselector places both the stretched substreams 454-456 on the appropriatechannel of the selected MA protocol. Those substreams are transmitted bythe final transmit stage 316A of the BTS 132. The signals 178_S and 180are transmitted to subscriber unit 150, along with the controlinformation necessary for that subscriber unit to properly process theincoming communication.

FIG. 4G shows a multi-base implementation of the configuration describedand discussed above in connection with FIG. 4F. The detector 400determines that the datastream(s) 454-456 require spatial processing.Additionally, multi-base transmission is determined to be necessarybased, for example, on a subscriber unit signal or on the BER detectedby a BTS. The router 422, responsive to that determination, routes thedatastream to parsing units 402A-B. Each of the parsing modules 404A-Bis presented information, not only that the datastream(s) needs to beparsed, but also which substreams are to be discarded at each parsingunit in order to implement a multi-base spatial transmission. In anembodiment of the invention, those in control instructions are generatedby the MSC 106. The parsing module 404A generates substream 452. Theparsing module 404B generates substream 450. Collectively, substreams450-452 contain all the information from the original datastream(s) 176from which they were parsed. The selected substreams are passed to thecorresponding stretching modules 408A-B. These stretching modules inturn pass the substreams with a reduced bit rate or in bursts assubstreams 456-454 to the corresponding selectors 312A-B of theassociated BTSs 132 and 120. The substreams are placed on the samechannels of the multiple access protocol implemented by each BTS. Thesesubstreams are transmitted by the corresponding final transmissionsstages 316A-B. Signal 180 corresponding to substream 456 is transmittedby at least an antenna on BTS 132 to subscriber unit 150. Signal 178_Mcorresponding to substream 454 is transmitted by at least an antenna ofBTS 120 to subscriber unit 150. The inclusion of both single-base andmulti-base spatial transmission capabilities in the system allowsconsistent QoS to be delivered to the subscribers.

FIG. 4H shows an implementation of the current invention in which thedetector 400 includes the capability of distinguishing the mode of thedatastream(s), e.g. traditional mode and spatial mode. The detector 400,upon determining that datastream(s) 182 can be processed in traditionalmode, passes that information to the router 422. The router passes thedatastream(s) 182 to the appropriate parsing unit 402. The parser unit402A and specifically parser module 404A thereof avoids parsing thedatastream(s) and passes it to the corresponding selector 312Aassociated with BTS 132. In the manner described and discussed above,the channel and antenna on which that datastream(s) is to be transmittedfrom BTS 132 is determined by the processes/logic 104, e.g. at the MSC.The associated signal 182 is passed from the BTS to the subscriber unit144.

FIG. 4I shows the introduction of multiple subscriber datastream(s),i.e. datastream(s) 176 and 182 into the embodiment described anddiscussed above in connection with FIGS. 4F-H. The detector 400determines that datastream(s) 182 may be processed in the traditionalmode while datastream(s) 176 may be processed in the spatial mode. Inthis example, both the datastream(s) are routed by router 422 to asingle BTS for, respectively, non-spatial and spatial transmission.Stretched datastream(s) 454-456 derived from substreams 450-452 ofdatastream(s) 176 are presented to the selector associated with BTS 132.Signals 178_S and 180 are transmitted to subscriber unit 150 on the samechannel of the MA protocol implemented by the BTS. Traditional modedatastream(s) may be transmitted on the same or another channel.

FIG. 4J shows a multi-base spatial transmission of the datastream(s) 176discussed above in connection with FIG. 4I. A change from single tomulti-base transmission is initiated by the processes/logic 104_inresponse to, for example, a degradation in the bit error rate or tosignals from subscriber unit 150 which indicate that a change in spatialconfiguration is required. This might include changing the antennaselection on the array of a single BTS. The selection might involve areduction/increase in the number of transmitting antennas. Alternately,in the example shown, a partial handoff is implemented. To implement thepartial handoff, router 422 routes the datastream(s) 176 to both parsingunits 402A-B. Control information, indicating which of the substreamsgenerated by the respective parsing unit is to be passed on to theassociated BTS, may also be generated. Responsive to that information,the parsing modules 404A-B each generate only one of the substreamswhich can be generated from the datastream(s) 176. Each selectedsubstream is stretched by the corresponding stretcher and passed to thecorresponding BTS. BTS 132 continues to transmit the traditional modedatastream(s) 182 and the signal corresponding thereto to subscriberunit 144. BTS 132 transmits one of the stretched substreams 456 in theform of signal 180 to subscriber unit 150. The other of the substreams454 is passed to the subscriber unit 150 as signal 178_M from the BTS120.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the above-mentionedarrangements of detector, router and parsing units represent only someof the possible configurations of these modules/logic which may beutilized to implement the current invention. In an embodiment of theinvention, the wireless network may not support both traditional andspatial transmission together. In that embodiment, the detector may notbe required, since all datastream(s) will be handled by spatiallytransmitting them. In still another embodiment of the invention,multi-base operation may not be implemented, allowing only forsingle-base SM. In still another embodiment of the invention, therouting may be accomplished by a single BTS which uses in/out of bandchannels to wirelessly relay one or more substreams to other BTSs forre-transmissions on the assigned channel.

FIGS. 5A-B show the upstream modules associated with the processing ofdatastream(s) and substreams received by the BTSs. That information maybe destined for another subscriber unit or for the network 100 (see FIG.1A).

FIG. 5A shows the base stations 120,132, the upstream processes/logic300 and the MSC 106. In the example shown, single-base SM isimplemented. The subscriber unit 150 is shown transmitting signals 178_Sand 180. These are received by BTS 132 and processed by the associatedmodules of its configurable SM receiver 330 (see FIG. 3). From thedecoder 340A, substreams 454-456 are passed to the upstreamprocesses/logic 300. The upstream module includes a router 420 and acombiner 500. The combiner 500 operates in reverse of the mannerdescribed and discussed above in connection with the parsing unit 402.The router 420 passes the substreams 454-456 to the combiner 500. Theoutput of the combiner is the subscriber datastream(s) 176.

FIG. 5B shows the modules discussed above in connection with FIG. 5Aduring the reception of multi-base spatial transmissions from thesubscriber unit 150 as well as the single-base transmission fromsubscriber unit 144. BTS 132 and the associated receiver module 330,have their spatial processor configured to generate a single one of thesubstreams 456 that can be derived from the composite signals 178_M and180 of subscriber unit 150. The other substream 454 is generated bycorresponding modules associated with BTS 120. Additionally, on thesame/different channel, BTS 132 with the receiver 330 is configured togenerate a single datastream(s) 182 from the composite signal 182transmitted by the subscriber unit 144. The datastream(s) 182 of theassociated decoder of that BTS, i.e. decoder 340A is passed to therouter 420. The combiner is configured to combine substreams 454-456into datastream 176 and to pass datastream(s) 182 along withoutcombining.

Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, the method and apparatus of thecurrent invention may be used to implement SM_MA both on the down/uplink. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, SM may beasymmetrically implemented as well, on either the down/up linkselectively, without departing from the scope of this invention.

FIG. 6 shows an antenna array of BTS transmitter 132 and the antennaarray of the subscriber unit receiver 138 (see FIG. 3). The antennaarray of the final transmissions stage 316 includes antennas 134T-136T.The antenna array of the first receiver stage 382 includes antennas140R-142R. The first receiver stage passes the composite signals 640-642to the space/space-time processor 386. The output of the processor ispresented to the decoder 388 from which, as output, the substreams454-456 are generated.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the transmission of datathrough a wireless medium may involve modulation of an informationsignal derived from a datastream(s) or substream on a carrier signal.Information may, for example, be contained in the phase and/or amplituderelationship of the signal modulating the carrier. Each specific phaseand/or amplitude relationship that is utilized is referred to as a“symbol”. The set of all symbols is referred to as the “constellation”.The greater the number of symbols in a constellation, the more binarybits of information may be encoded in each symbol in a givenconstellation. Current communication protocols allow for constellationswith over 1024 symbols, each encoding for one of ten bit combinations.Antenna 134T is shown transmitting a symbol 600 within a signalconstellation. This corresponds to an associated group of the bitscorresponding to the data from a portion of substream 454. Antenna 136Tis shown transmitting symbol 606 which corresponds to a different bitsequence derived directly from substream 456. The transmission ofsubstream 454 by antenna 134 results in at least two signals 602-604.The transmission of the symbol 606 by antenna 136 generates at least twosignals 608-610. Additional signals are likely in a multi-pathenvironment with numerous scattering objects, such as buildings, etc.For the sake of simplicity, signals 602 and 610 transmitted fromrespectively antennas 134T-136T are both received by antenna 140R as asingle composite signal. The corresponding signals 604 and 608 arereceived by antenna 142R as a single composite signal. In order for thespatial receiver of the subscriber unit to resolve the composite signalsinto the estimated subscriber datastream/substreams, the spatialprocessor 386 must include information about the spatial signatures620-622 of the transmissions from each of the antennas 134-136. Thesespatial signatures may be determined using either blind and or non-blindtraining methods in the manner described and discussed above. By placingthe decoder 388 downstream from the space/space-time processor 386, theappropriate symbols may then be derived from the substream and convertedinto a corresponding binary sequence from which the correspondingportions of the substreams 454-456 may be generated.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, any of a number of othermodulation techniques may be used to implement the current inventionincluding: continuous phase modulation (CPM), continuous frequencymodulation (CFM), phase shift keying (PSK), offset phase shift keying,amplitude shift keying (ASK), pulse position modulation (PPM), pulsewidth modulation (PWM), etc., without departing from the scope of thisinvention.

FIGS. 7A-B show an embodiment of the invention in which the spatialprocessor 386 is configured for both traditional and spatial mode signalreception. Additionally, in the spatial mode, the spatial processor isconfigurable to generate a variable number of substreams to correspondto the number transmitted. Spatial processor 386 and the decoder 388 areshown. The spatial processor 386 includes: first fabric switch 700,first configurable logic 702, second fabric switch 730, secondconfigurable logic 732, an evaluator 740, and a controller 746.

The spatial processor 386 is coupled via the receive processes 384 tothe receiver first stage 380 of the subscriber unit, as discussed abovein connection with FIG. 3. Similar design applies to the spatialprocessor 338 in the BTS (see FIG. 3). The composite signal(s) detectedby the first stage receiver is passed to the fabric switch 700 of thespatial processor. Responsive to signals generated by the control unit746, the first fabric switch passes the composite signal/signals to oneor more of the sub-modules within first logic unit 702. In theembodiment shown, a sub-module includes a multiplier 704 and a weightregister 712. The multiplier generates an output signal which is aproduct of the weight stored in weight register 712 multiplied by theincoming composite signal. The weights in this register and the registerof other sub-modules may be derived using non-blind or blind trainingmethods as discussed above. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, a compositesignal 750 is presented to fabric switch 700. This switch has beenconfigured utilizing in/out of band control signals to process a singlecomposite signal. The output of the multiplier is presented to thesecond fabric switch 730. This fabric switch also is configurable bymeans of the control unit 746. The fabric switch 730 presents thesignals from the first logic module in variable configurations to one ormore of the summers, e.g. summer 734 which is part of the secondconfigurable logic in this embodiment of the invention. Because a singlecomposite signal is being processed in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A,only one summer is utilized. The input to that summer is the output ofthe multiplier 704 and the zero input provided by the control unit 746.The output of the summer 734 is passed to the evaluator 740 (optional).The evaluator determines when signals that are spatially transmitted arenot separable, and if separable, the quality of each link. The qualityof each link may be evaluated using, for example, Signal to InterferenceNoise Ratio (SINR). The resultant traditional mode datastream(s) 182 ispassed through the decoder. In the decoder the conversion from symbolsto associated bit sequences is implemented. As shown above in FIG. 3,the output of the decoder is passed to an associated combiner. Theconfiguration of the configurable spatial processor under the control ofcontrol unit 746 takes place as a result of in/out of band controlsignals. These signals may be generated during call setup or during anactual call session by SM_MA processes/logic 104.

In FIG. 7B, the configurable nature of the spatial processor is evidentby comparison to FIG. 7A. Composite signals 640-642 are presented to thefirst fabric switch 700. Responsive to signals from the control unit746, the first fabric switch generates output signals for each of thecomposite input signals. Composite signal 640 is passed to a first pairof logic sub-modules within the first logic unit 702. Composite signal642 is passed to a second pair of logic sub-modules within the firstlogic unit 702. The first pair of logic sub-modules include: multiplier704 together with associated weight register 712, and multiplier 706together with associated weight register 714. The second pair of logicsub-modules include: multiplier 708 together with associated weightregister 716, and multiplier 710 together with associated weightregister 718. Multipliers 704-706 receive as inputs the composite signal640. Multipliers 708-710 receive as inputs the composite signal 642. Theweight registers may contain weights obtained during transmission of atraining sequence which allow training sequences to be separated. Theseare multiplied by the corresponding composite signal inputs and the fourproducts are cross-coupled to summers 734-736 of the second logic unit732 by the second fabric switch. The output of summers 734-736 is,respectively, the estimated substreams 454-456. In the embodiment shown,these are passed through an evaluator 740 to the decoder 388.Subsequently, the estimated substreams are combined into the originaldatastream 176 (not shown). The decoder 388 performs the above-mentionedfunction of mapping the summer output into symbols and from the symbols,into the appropriate binary sequences. In an alternate embodiment of theinvention, the evaluator may be placed downstream of the decoder andperform a similar function at that location.

The evaluator monitors the estimated substreams to determine if they areappropriately separated, and if separable, the quality of the link(s).This determination might, for example, be made during the transmissionof a training sequence. When the evaluator determines it is no longerpossible to spatially separate the corresponding substreams, thatdetermination may be passed to the upstream processes/logic 104, e.g.the MSC 106 (see FIG. 1). This results in an alteration of the spatialconfiguration of the transmission. A change in spatial transmission maybe implemented in any number of ways. These include: a change in theantenna selection and/or number at a single base, a change fromtraditional to spatial mode broadcasting at a single base, a change fromsingle-base to multi-base transmission. Similarly, when the evaluatordetermines that the substreams are separable, it may pass on the linkquality parameters to the upstream processes/logic 104, e.g. the MSC106. This can help the BTS/MSC/CO side of the processes/logic 104_choosethe modulation rate (bits per symbol) of each substream, and carry outparsing accordingly.

FIGS. 7C-D show an embodiment of space-time processor. To thecapabilities of the above-discussed spatial processor is added theability to remove the interference in the composite signal caused by thedelayed versions of the composite signal over time. To account for theseperturbations, one or more delay elements may be introduced into thesignal paths in the first logic unit to account for these effects. Anexploded view of an embodiment of a time logic sub-module is shown inFIG. 7D. In the embodiment shown, each time sub-module is coupled to theoutput of a corresponding multiplier in the first logic unit. Timesub-modules 720-726 are coupled to the outputs of multipliers 704-710,respectively. Each time module may consist of a plurality of delayelements. In the exploded view, a sub-module includes delay modules760-762; multipliers 770-772 together with associated weight registers780-782, as well as a summer 790. The output of multiplier 704 is aninput both to delay module 760 and summer 790. The output of delaymodule 760 is an input both to delay module 762 and to multiplier 770.The output of delay module 762 is an input to multiplier 772. Theoutputs of the multipliers provide additional inputs to the summer 790.The output of the summer is presented to the second fabric switch 730.Each time module may include additional multipliers with associativedelay units and weight registers. As was the case in FIGS. 7A-B, thespace-time processor in FIGS. 7C-D is configurable. FIG. 7C shows theprocessor configured for a single input composite signal 750. FIG. 7Dshows the space-time processor configured for two composite inputsignals 640-642.

The spatial/space-time processor of FIGS. 7A-D is configurable; e.g.capable of processing a variable number of composite signals andoutputting a corresponding number of estimated subscriber substreams. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the spatial/space-time processor isnot configurable; accepting instead a fixed number of substreams andoutputting a corresponding fixed number of estimated subscribersubstreams.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, any of a number of otherprocessing techniques may be used to implement the current invention,including: space-time, space-frequency, space-code, etc. In turn, thesemay further utilize any, or a combination of techniques including, butnot limited to: linear or non-linear processing, Maximum Likelihood (ML)techniques, Iterative decoding/interference canceling, Multi-userdetection (MUD) techniques, etc., without departing from the scope ofthis invention.

FIG. 8 shows a datastream interspersed with the training sequencesconsistent with a non-blind embodiment of the current invention.Training sequences 800-802 and data sequences 850-852 are shown.Suitable training sequences include orthogonal Walsh codes transmittedby the spatially separate antennas. The spatial/space-time processor ofthe receiver attempts to generate weights which separate the known Walshcode sequences. Those weights are then used in processing the subsequentdatastream(s)/substreams. In an embodiment of the invention, thetraining sequences are inserted into the datastream at frequency/dutycycle, which depend on the mobility of the subscriber unit. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the training sequences vary in duration andare constant in frequency. The training sequences may be transmittedin/out of band. As the mobility of a subscriber increases, thefrequency/duty cycle of the training sequences may be increased. Themobility of the subscriber unit can, as discussed above, be detected byDoppler shift/spread detected by the mobility detector 334 (see FIG. 3)on the receive side of the base station, for example. When thesubscriber unit is fixed, training may only be performed at, or before,call setup or at a relatively low frequency/duty cycle during acall/data session. In still other embodiments of the invention, notraining sequences would be inserted into the datastream(s)/substreams,instead relying on blind training techniques discussed above.

FIGS. 9A-B to 12A-B show various access methodologies utilized toprovide multiple; access spatial multiplexing in accordance with thecurrent invention. The figures labeled with “A” show the transmitportion of each access method while the figures labeled with “B” showthe receive side. FIGS. 9A-B show SM time-division multiple access(TDMA). FIGS. 1A-B show SM frequency-division multiple access (FDMA).FIGS. 11A-B show SM code-division multiple access (CDMA). FIGS. 12 A-Bshow SM space-division multiple access (SDMA). The modules disclosedherein on the upstream side, as well as the subscriber side, may beimplemented in hardware/software. They may be implemented on a singlechip, e.g. DSP or ASIC. The modules disclosed on the upstream side maybe located in the BTS or further upstream, e.g. the MSC/CO. On thesubscriber side the modules may be implemented in a single unit.

FIG. 9A shows a slot selector 900, a transmit processor module 314A(optional), and a final transmit stage 316A. In the embodiment shown,these are part of the above-discussed BTS 132 (see FIG. 1A). Each ofthese modules is coupled to the control elements shown in FIG. 3, i.e.training module 328, mobility detector 334, memory 322, processor 324,and clock 326. These are coupled via signal/control line 108 to the MSC106. The mobility detector is, in an embodiment of the invention shownin FIG. 3, part of the receive side of the BTS. It is shown in FIG. 9Afor purposes of clarity, since it interacts with the training module 328and CPU 324 to detect and generate training sequences responsive to themobility of the subscriber unit. Subscriber datastream 182 andsubstreams 454-456 derived from subscriber datastream 176 (see FIGS.4A-J) are shown as inputs to the slot selector 900. In TDMA eachsubscriber session is allocated a specific time segment in which to betransmitted. Time segments are assigned in round-robin fashion. In thetraditional public switched telephone network (PSTN), there aretwenty-four time slots (a.k.a. channels/D0). The slot selector 900,under the direct/indirect control of processes/logic 104 and implementedat, e.g. the MSC 106, assigns the related substreams 454-456 toidentical channels (TDMA slots) within the separate TDMA datastream(s)902-904, which are output by the slot selector. The traditional modedatastream 182 is assigned to a separate channel/slot within TDMAdatastream 904.

Each of the TDMA datastream(s) 902-904 is, in an embodiment of theinvention, provided as an input to an optional transmit processingmodule 314A. That module may implement any one of a number of well knownprior art techniques for improving signal quality in a wireless networkincluding: diversity, space-time coding, beam forming, etc.

The transmit processor 314A (optional) includes, in the embodimentshown, diversity processing, space-time coding and beam-forming.Beam-forming exploits channel knowledge to direct transmissions to thelocation of the corresponding subscriber. Diversity may be implementedin: frequency, time, space, polarization, space/space-time, etc. Theoutputs of the optional transmit processor 314A are provided as inputsto the final transmit stage 316A. That stage includes encoder modulators924-926, operating off a common carrier 914 for processing each of theTDMA datastream(s) 902-904. These modulated datastream(s) are passed torespective RF stages 934-936 and associated antennas 134T-136T forspatially separate transmission of the individual substreams that theycontain, e.g. 454-456. Additional antenna arrays 940-942, RF stages930-932, encoder/modulator stages 920-922 are used to implement any ofthe optional transmit processes.

FIG. 9B shows the receive side of a subscriber unit 150 enabled forspatial multiplexing utilizing TDMA access. That unit includes: firstreceiver stage 382A, receive processor 384A (optional),spatial/space-time processor 386, decoder 388, combiner 390, I/O module392, TDMA slot selector 978, processor 374, carrier recovery module 376,memory 372, and training module 378. The first receiver stage includesantennas 140R-142R which are coupled via, respectively, RF stages952-950 to demodulator/sampling modules 962-960. Thedemodulator/sampling units operate off a common carrier 970. Anadditional antenna array 946, RF stage 954, demodulator/sampling module964, and carrier generator 972 are utilized by the receive processor384A to implement: diversity processing, space-time decoding,beam-forming, etc.

In operation, the carrier recovery module 376 synchronizes the carriers970-972 to the carrier frequency of the incoming composite signals990-992. The TDM slot selector 978 accepts a channel assignment from theBTS(s) and synchronizes the receive processes accordingly. The compositesignals from each antenna are demodulated and sampled by thecorresponding one of the demodulator/sampling modules 964-960. Theoutputs of these modules provide inputs to the receive processor 384A.The receive processor implements signal processing techniques which maycomplement one or more of the optional processes discussed above for thetransmit side (see FIG. 9A). Each composite signal output by the receiveprocesses/logic 384A provides inputs to the spatial/space-time processor386 (see FIGS. 7A-D). That processor, using parameters/weights derivedfrom the above-discussed blind/non-blind training techniques, separatesthe composite signals into the appropriate number of estimatedsubscriber substreams, e.g. 996-998. In configurable embodiments of thespatial/space-time processor, information received from the BTS(s) atthe start of, or during, a call session configures the processor togenerate a number of substreams that correspond to the actual number ofsubstreams transmitted. Next, the estimated subscriber substreams areprovided as inputs to a similarly configured decoder 388. The decodermaps symbols utilized during the transmission of thesubstreams/datastream(s) into their binary equivalent. The decoderoutputs the estimated subscriber substreams 454-456 to the combiner 390.The combiner reverses the operation performed on the transmit side bythe parser, generating thereby an estimated subscriber datastream 176.This datastream is provided to the I/O module 392 for subsequentpresentment to the subscriber as for example, an audio signal, a videosignal, a data file, etc.

FIGS. 10A-B show a BTS implementing SM frequency-division multipleaccess (FDMA). In FDMA, each subscriber session, whether traditional orspatially processed, is provided with a single frequency slot within thetotal bandwidth available for transmission. The BTS includes: afrequency slot selector 1000, a transmit processor module 314B(optional), and a final transmit stage 316B. In the embodiment shown,these are part of the above-discussed BTS 132 (see FIG. 1A). Each ofthese modules is coupled to the control elements shown in FIG. 3, i.e.training module 328, mobility detector 334, memory 322, processor 324,and clock 326. These are coupled via signal/control line 108 to the MSC106. Subscriber datastream 182 and substreams 454-456 derived fromsubscriber datastream 176 (see FIGS. 4A-J) are shown as inputs to thefrequency slot selector 900. The selector 1000, under the direct orindirect control of the MSC 106, selects the appropriate frequency slotfor the datastream(s)/substreams. This is represented in FIG. 10A by afinal transmit stage which includes encoder/modulator clusters(1020-1022), (1024-1026), and (1028-1030), each of which modulates abouta unique center frequency as determined by respective associatedcarriers 1010-1014. Intermediate the frequency selector 1000 and thefinal transmit stage 316B, is an optional transmit processing unit 314Bwhich may impose on the datastream(s)/substreams additional signalprocessing utilizing antenna arrays 1040-1042 in conjunction withantennas 134T-136T, as discussed above in connection with FIG. 9A.

Within the final transmit stage two spatially separate antennas134T-136T are shown. These are coupled via, respectively, RF stages1034-1036 and summers (1002-1004), (1006-1008), to separate outputs ofeach of three encoder/modulator clusters. Each encoder/modulator clusteroperates about a distinct center frequency. Each cluster contains anumber of encoder/modulator outputs at least equivalent to the number ofspatially separate antennas in the final transmit stage. Since there aretwo antennas in the example shown, each cluster contains at leastencoding/modulating capability for processing two distinct substreamsand for outputting each separately onto a corresponding one of theantennas for spatially separate transmission. The traditional modedatastream 182 is assigned to the first cluster with a center frequencydetermined by carrier 1010. That datastream is output via summer 1006 onantenna 136T. Each of the substreams 454-456, parsed from a commondatastream 176 (see FIGS. 4A-J) is passed to a single cluster forspatially separate transmission on a single center frequencycorresponding, in the example shown, to the center frequency determinedby carrier 1012. The modules disclosed herein may be implemented in theBTS or further upstream, e.g. the mobile switching center. They may beimplemented as hardware or software. They may be implemented on a singlechip, e.g. DSP or ASIC.

FIG. 10B shows a subscriber unit 150 enabled for spatial multiplexingutilizing FDMA access methodology. That unit includes: first receiverstage 382B, receive processor 384B (optional), spatial/space-timeprocessor 386, decoder 388, combiner 390, I/O module 392, frequencyselector 1078, processor 374, carrier recovery module 376, memory 372,and training module 378. The first receiver stage includes antennas140R-142R, which are coupled via RF stages 1052-1050, respectively, todemodulator/sampling modules 1062-1060. The demodulator/sampling unitsoperate off a common frequency synthesizer 1070. Additional antennaarray 1046, RF unit 1054, demodulator/sampling unit 1064, and frequencysynthesizer 1072 are shown. Optionally, these may be utilized by receiveprocessing unit 384B to implement any of the receive processes discussedabove in connection with FIG. 9B.

In operation, the carrier recovery module 376 synchronizes the carriers1070-1072 to the carrier frequency assigned by the BTS for thesubscriber session, i.e. the carrier frequency at which the compositesignals 1090-1092 are transmitted. The composite signals from eachantenna are demodulated and sampled by the corresponding one of thedemodulator/sampling modules 1064-1060. The outputs of these modulesprovide inputs to the receive processor/logic 384B. The receiveprocessor implements signal processing techniques which may complementone or more of those discussed on the transmit side (see FIG. 10A). Eachcomposite signal output by the receive processor/logic 384B providesinputs to the spatial/space-time processor 386 (see FIGS. 7A-D). Thatprocessor, using parameters/weights derived using the above-discussedblind/non-blind training techniques, separates the composite signalsinto the appropriate number of estimated subscribersubstreams/datastream(s), e.g. 1096-1098. In configurable embodiments ofthe spatial/space-time processor, information received from the basestations at the start of, or during a call session, configures theprocessor to generate a number of substreams/datastream(s) whichcorrespond to the actual number of substreams/datastream(s) transmitted.Next, the estimated subscriber substreams/datastream(s) are provided asinputs to a similarly configured decoder 388. The decoder maps symbolsutilized during the transmission of the substreams/datastream(s) intotheir binary equivalent. The decoder outputs the estimated subscribersubstreams in their binary equivalent 454-456 to the combiner 390. Thecombiner reverses the operation performed on the transmit side by theparser, generating thereby an estimated subscriber datastream 176. Thisdatastream is provided to the I/O module 392 for subsequent presentmentto the subscriber as for example, an audio signal, a video signal, adata file, etc. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, thesubscriber unit may be configured to receive more than one channelconcurrently.

FIGS. 11A-B show a BTS implementing SM code-division multiple access(CDMA). In CDMA, each subscriber session, whether traditional (unparsed)or spatially processed (parsed), is provided with a distinct codesequence. The datastream/substreams are modulated (spread) onto thedistinct code sequence/key code (Kn), and the spread signal is, in turn,modulated onto a common carrier. This has the effect of spreading eachsession across the entire transmission bandwidth. The BTS includes akey/code selector 1100, a transmit processor module 314C (optional), anda final transmit stage 316C. In the embodiment shown, these are part ofthe above-discussed BTS 132 (see FIG. 1A). Each of these modules iscoupled to the control elements shown in FIG. 3, i.e. training module328, mobility detector 334, memory 322, processor 324, and clock 326.These are coupled via signal/control line 108 to the MSC 106. Shown herefor ease of explanation, the mobility detector, as discussed above, isactually implemented on the receive side of the BTS and interacts withthe training module 328 to inject training sequences into the SM_CDMAtransmissions.

Subscriber datastream 182 and substreams 454-456 derived from subscriberdatastream 176 (see FIGS. 4A-J) are shown as inputs to the key/codeselector 1100. The selector 1100, under the direct or indirect controlof the MSC 106, selects the appropriate key/code sequence for thedatastream(s)/substreams. This is represented in FIG. 11A by a finaltransmit stage which includes spreader and encoder/modulator clusters,(1110-1111,1120-1121), (1112-1113,1122-1123), and (1114-1115,1124-1125)each of which modulates over a unique key code, respectively 1116-1118,and all of which modulate on a common carrier 1126. Intermediate thecode/key selector 1100 and the final transmit stage 316C is the optionaltransmit processing unit 314C, which may impose on thedatastream(s)/substreams additional signal processing, such as thatdescribed and discussed above in connection with FIG. 9A.

Within the final transmit stage, two spatially separate antennas134T-136T are shown, along with an optional antenna array 1140-1142associated with transmit processing. These are coupled via,respectively, RF stages 1134-1136 and summers (1102-1104), (1106-1108)to separate outputs of each of three spreader encoder/modulatorclusters. Each spreader encoder/modulator cluster operates about adistinct key code. Each cluster contains a number of encoder/modulatoroutputs at least equivalent to the number of spatially separate antennasin the final transmit stage. Since there are two antennas in the exampleshown, each cluster contains at least encoding/modulating capability forprocessing two distinct substreams and for outputting each separatelyonto a corresponding one of the antennas for spatially separatetransmission. The traditional mode datastream 182 is assigned to thesecond cluster with the key code 1117. That datastream is output viasummer 1104 on antenna 134T. Each of the substreams 454-456, parsed froma common datastream 176 (see FIGS. 4A-J), is passed to a single clusterfor spatially separate transmission with a single key code 1116.

FIG. 11B shows a subscriber unit 150 enabled for spatial multiplexingutilizing CDMA access methodology. That unit includes: first receiverstage 382C, receive processor 384C (optional), spatial/space-timeprocessor 386, decoder 388, combiner 390, I/O module 392, key/codeselector 1182, processor 374, carrier recovery module 376, memory 372,and training module 378. The first receiver stage includes antennas140R-142R, which are coupled via, respectively, RF stages 1152-1150 todemodulator/sampling modules 1168-1166. Demodulator/sampling modules1168-1166 operate off a carrier 1172. The output of these is passed tode-spreaders 1162-1160, respectively, which operate off of key code1176, assigned by the key/code selector 1182 on the basis of controlinformation passed between subscriber unit and base station. Carrierrecovery and synchronization may be handled by carrier recovery module376, operating in conjunction with carrier generator 1172. Additionally,first receiver stage 382C includes optional antenna array 1146, RF stage1154, demodulator/sampling unit 1170, carrier generator 1174,de-spreader 1164, and key/code generator 1178. These may be utilized inconjunction with the optional receive processor 384C in the mannerdiscussed above in FIGS. 9B and 10B.

In operation, the carrier recovery module 376 synchronizes the carriers1172-1174 to the carrier assigned by the BTS for the subscriber session,i.e. the carrier at which the composite signals 1190-1192 weretransmitted. The composite signals from each antenna are thendemodulated and sampled by the corresponding one of thedemodulator/sampling modules 1168-1166. Respectively, the outputs ofthese modules provide inputs to de-spreaders 1162-1160, where they arede-spread using the key code 1176 assigned for the session. The outputsof the de-spreaders provide inputs to the optional receive processor384C. The receive processor may implement signal processing techniqueswhich complement one or more of those discussed on the transmit side(see FIG. 11A). Each composite signal output by the receiveprocesses/logic 384C provides inputs to the spatial/space-time processor386 (see FIGS. 7A-D). That processor, using parameters/weights derivedusing the above-discussed blind/non-blind training techniques, separatesthe composite signals into the appropriate number of estimatedsubscriber substreams/datastream(s), e.g. 1196-1198. In configurableembodiments of the spatial/space-time processor, information receivedfrom the base stations at the start of, or during, a call sessionconfigures the processor to generate a number ofsubstreams/datastream(s) which correspond to the actual number ofsubstreams/datastream(s) transmitted. Next, the estimated subscribersubstreams/datastream(s) are provided as inputs to a similarlyconfigured decoder 388. The decoder maps symbols utilized during thetransmission of the substreams/datastream(s) into their binaryequivalent. The decoder outputs the estimated subscriber substreams454-456 in their binary equivalent to the combiner 390. The combinerreverses the operation performed on the transmit side by the parser,generating thereby an estimated subscriber datastream 176. Thisdatastream is provided to the I/O module 392 for subsequent presentmentto the subscriber as, for example, an audio signal, a video signal, adata file, etc. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, thesubscriber unit may be configured to receive more than one channelconcurrently.

FIGS. 12A-B show a BTS implementing space-division multiple access(SDMA). In SDMA, each subscriber session, whether traditional (unparsed)or spatially processed (parsed), is transmitted as a shaped beam; a highgain portion of which is electronically directed using beam formingtoward a known subscriber, at a known location, within a cell. This hasthe effect of allowing channel re-use within a single cell by beamforming each subscriber session to a separate segment of a cell.

The BTS includes a beam steering selector 1200, a transmit processormodule 314D (optional), and a final transmit stage 316D. In theembodiment shown, these are a part of the above-discussed BTS 132 (seeFIG. 1A). Each of these modules is coupled to the control elements shownin FIG. 3, i.e. training module 328, mobility detector 334, memory 322,processor 324, and clock 326. These are coupled via signal/control line108 to the MSC 106. Subscriber datastream 182 and substreams 454-456,derived from subscriber datastream 176 (See FIGS. 4A-J), are shown asinputs to the beam steering selector 1200. The selector 1200, under thedirect/indirect control of the MSC 106, selects the appropriatedirection in which beam steering is to be carried out for eachsubscriber session and its associated datastream/substreams.Intermediate the beam steering selector 1200 and the final transmitstage 316D is the optional transmit processing unit 314D, which mayimpose on the datastream(s)/substreams additional signal processing,such as that described and discussed above in connection with FIG. 9A,with the exception of beam forming.

Within the final transmit stage, two pairs of spatially separateantennas 134TA/B-136TA/B are shown. Additionally, antenna array 1240associated with transmit processes 314D is shown. The two pairs ofantennas are coupled via, respectively, RF stages 1234,1230,1236,1232 tobeam steering module 1202. The beam steering module accepts as inputsthe separately encoded and modulated outputs from encoder modulators1220-1226, each of which operated on a common carrier 1210, and each ofwhich handles a different substream/datastream. The steering ofdatastream 182 to subscriber 144 (see FIG. 1B), and of substreams454-456 to subscriber 150, is accomplished by beam steering unit 1202.That unit, operating with a known location/channel for each subscriber,steers the output beams from the antennas so that they interfere in amanner which maximizes the gain appropriately. At the location ofsubscriber 144, beam steering results in the composite signalcorresponding to datastream 182 reaching a relative maximum, while thegain of the composite signals corresponding to the substreams 454-456 atthat location is minimized. Beam steering also accomplishes the oppositeeffect at the location of subscriber unit 150.

FIG. 12B shows a subscriber unit 150 enabled for spatial multiplexingutilizing SDMA access methodology. That unit includes: first receiverstage 382D, receive processor 384D (optional), spatial/space-timeprocessor 386, decoder 388, combiner 390, I/O module 392, processor 374,carrier recovery module 376, memory 372, and training module 378. Thefirst receiver stage includes antennas 140R-142R, which are respectivelycoupled via RF stages 1252-1250 to demodulator/sampling modules1262-1260. Demodulator/sampling modules 1262-1260 operate off of acommon carrier 1270. Carrier recovery and synchronization may be handledby carrier recovery module 376 operating in conjunction with carriergenerator 1270. Additionally, the first receiver stage may also include:an antenna array 1246, coupled via RF stage 1254 to ademodulator/sampler 1264, and associated carrier module 1272. Theseoperate under the control of receive processes 384D to implement any ofthe receive processes discussed above in connection with FIGS. 9B, 10Band 11B.

In operation, the carrier recovery module 376 synchronizes the carriers1270-1272 to the carrier at which beam forming is conducted by theBTS(s). The composite signals from each antenna are then demodulated andsampled by the corresponding one of the demodulator/sampling modules1268-1266. The outputs of these modules provide inputs to the receiveprocessor 384D. Each composite signal output by the receiveprocesses/logic 384B provides inputs to the spatial/space-time processor386 (see FIGS. 7A-D). That processor, using parameters/weights derivedusing the above-discussed blind/non-blind training techniques, separatesthe composite signals into the appropriate number of estimatedsubscriber substreams/datastream(s), e.g. 1296-1298. In configurableembodiments of the spatial/space-time processor, information receivedfrom the base stations at the start of, or during, a call sessionconfigures the processor to generate a number ofsubstreams/datastream(s) that correspond to the actual number ofsubstreams/datastream(s) transmitted. Next, the estimated subscribersubstreams/datastream(s) are provided as inputs to a similarlyconfigured decoder 388. The decoder maps symbols utilized during thetransmission of the substreams/datastream(s) into their binaryequivalent. The decoder outputs the estimated subscriber substreams intheir binary equivalent 454-456 to the combiner 390. The combinerreverses the operation performed on the transmit side by the parser,generating thereby an estimated subscriber datastream 176. Thisdatastream is provided to the I/O module 392 for subsequent presentmentto the subscriber as, for example, an audio signal, a video signal, adata file, etc. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, thesubscriber unit may be configured to receive more than one channelconcurrently.

Although FIGS. 9-12 show four distinct multiple access methods, it willbe obvious to those skilled in the art that each of these may becombined with one or more of the others without departing from the scopeof this invention, as well as with such multiple access methods as:orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), wavelengthdivision multiple access (WDMA), wavelet division multiple access, orany other orthogonal division multiple access/quasi-orthogonal divisionmultiple access (ODMA) techniques.

FIGS. 13A-B show the process flow for transmit and receiveprocessing/logic 104_associated with an embodiment of the currentinvention. These processes/logic may be carried out across multipledatastreams, either in parallel, serially, or both. Processing begins atprocess block 1300 in which the next datastream is detected. Controlthen passes to decision process 1302. In decision process 1302 adetermination is made as to the mode of the datastream. As discussedabove, the mode determination may distinguish traditional/spatial,quality of service, bit rate, etc. as well as various combinationsthereof. If a determination is made that the mode is traditional,control passes to process 1304. In process 1304 a routing determinationis made for the datastream. The routing decision may involve the MSCdirecting the datastream to an appropriate one of the base stations fortransmission. Control then passes to process 1306. In process 1306, thedatastream is placed on the appropriate channel within the accessprotocol implemented on the wireless network. Channel assignment mayalso be made by the MSC. Control then passes to process 1308 in whichthe subscriber datastream is transmitted. Next, in decision process1310, a determination is made as to whether any handoff from one BTS toanother is appropriate. If this determination is in the affirmative,control returns to process 1304 for re-routing of the datastream.Alternately, if a negative determination is made in process 1310 thatthe subscriber is fixed, or still within the cell associated with thetransmitting BTS, then control returns to process 1300 for theprocessing of the next datastream.

If, alternately, in decision process 1302 the mode of the nextdatastream is determined to be spatial, control passes to process 1320.In process 1320 the datastream is split into a configurable number ofsubstreams. Control is then passed to process 1322. In process 1322 theindividual substreams are routed and to one or more base stations fortransmission to the subscriber. Control then passes to process 1324. Inprocess 1324, under the direct or indirect control the MSC (see FIG.1A), the access channel on which to transmit the substreams is selected.That information is communicated to the BTS(s) which are involved in thetransmission of the substreams. Control then passes to decision process1326. In decision process 1326 a determination is made as to whether theintended subscriber is mobile or fixed. If a negative determination isreached, i.e. that the subscriber is fixed, control passes to process1328. In process 1328, a training sequence either at set-up or during acall session is generated provided non-blind training protocols arebeing utilized. The receipt of these training sequences by thesubscriber unit allows that unit to derive appropriate weight parametersin the first logic unit of the spatial/space-time processor forseparating the composite signals into individual estimated substreams(see FIGS. 7A-D). Alternately, if in decision process 1326 anaffirmative determination is reached, i.e. that the subscriber ismobile, then control is passed to process 1330. In process 1330, thefrequency or duration of the training sequences inserted into thedatastream is increased appropriately. This allows the subscriber unitto continually re-train its spatial/space-time parameters to account forpossible changes in the spatial environment brought about by its motion.Control is then passed to process 1332. In process 1332 a determinationis made as to the number of substreams that are to be transmitted. Thesubscriber unit is then signaled as to the number of substreams forwhich it should configure its spatial/space-time processor and othermodules. Control is then passed to process 1334. In process 1334 theselected BTS(s) transmit the selected substreams to the correspondingsubscriber unit. Control is then passed to decision process 1336.

In decision process 1336, a decision is made as to whether signalseparation at the subscriber unit is adequate. As discussed above, thisdetermination may, for example, be based on feedback from the subscriberunit by monitoring the received signal stream from the subscriber unit,or by monitoring bit error rate (BER) at the transmitting BTS(s).Numerous other methods will be evident to those skilled in the art formaking this determination. If this decision is in the negative, i.e.that the subscriber unit is unable to separate the substreams, controlreturns to process 1320. The process 1320 may now parse the data streaminto lesser number of substreams than before, or may do parsing asbefore, then pass the control to process 1322 for re-routing of thedatastream's substreams. Re-routing might, for example, include a changeof spatial configuration on a single BTS, or a changeover fromsingle-base to multi-base transmission, as discussed above in connectionwith FIGS. 4A-J. Alternately, if in decision process 1336 an affirmativedetermination is reached that the subscriber unit is able to separatethe substreams, control passes to decision process 1338. In decisionprocess 1338 a determination is made as to whether a handoff isrequired. This may result in a partial or full handoff. If thatdetermination is in the negative, e.g. the subscriber unit is fixed, orstill within the cell and is capable of separating the substreams, thencontrol returns to process 1300 for the interception of the nextdatastream. Alternately, if that decision is in the affirmative, controlreturns to process 1320. The process 1320 parses the datastreams asbefore, and passes the control to process 1322 for re-routing of thesubstreams to one or more base stations.

FIG. 13B shows the receive processes/logic of a subscriber unitassociated with an embodiment of the invention. Processing begins atprocess 1350, in which the next datastream in his detected. Control isthen passed to decision process 1352. In decision process 1352, acontrol signal from the BTS is received indicating the mode of thetransmitted signal, e.g. traditional/spatial, and in the latter case,the number of substreams to be generated from the composite signalsreceived. If the composite signals are to be treated as carrying atraditional datastream, control is passed to process 1354. In process1354 the appropriate channel on which to receive the composite signal isassigned. Channel assignment may occur: during call setup, during achange in spatial configuration, or during a change from single-base tomulti-base transmission, for example. Control is then passed to process1356. In process 1356 the composite signals are received andappropriately processed by the associated modules of the subscriber unit(see FIG. 3). Control is then passed to decision process 1358. Indecision process 1358, any training sequences and update of signalprocessing parameters that may be required are performed. Control isthen passed to decision process 1360 for a determination as to whethersignal quality and/or strength is adequate. If an affirmativedetermination is reached, e.g. that quality and/or strength is adequate,then control returns to process 1350 for the processing of the nextdatastream. Alternately, if a negative determination is reached, thencontrol is passed to process 1362. In process 1362 signaling of theBTS(s) that signal strength or quality is not acceptable isaccomplished. In an embodiment of the invention, the subscriber unitsignals the BTS that signal strength is no longer suitable forreception, or that signal separation, in the case of spatialtransmissions, is no longer adequate. Control then returns to process1350 for the processing of the next datastream.

If, alternately, in decision process 1352 the control signal from theBTS indicates that the mode of the incoming composite signals isspatial, control is passed to process 1370. In process 1370, controlinformation received by the subscriber unit indicates the number ofsubstreams for which the spatial processor, and other modules of thereceive portion of the subscriber unit, are to be configured. Control isthen passed to process 1372. In process 1372 access parameters, e.g.channel, for the transmission from the BTS(s) to the subscriber unit arepassed to the subscriber unit. Control then passes to process 1374. Inprocess 1374 the composite signals are received and processed intocorresponding estimated subscriber substreams. Control then passes todecision process 1376. In decision process 1376 a determination is madeas to whether any training sequence is present in the datastream. Thisembodiment of the invention therefore implements non-blind training.Other embodiments of the invention implementing blind training methodsneed not implement this particular act. If, in decision process 1376 anegative determination is reached, i.e. that no training sequences arepresent, control returns to process 1350. Alternately, if in decisionprocess 1376 an affirmative determination is reached, i.e. that atraining sequence is present, then control is passed to process 1378. Inprocess 1378, evaluation of the training sequence is performed and newweights registered within the spatial/space-time processor forseparating the training sequences. Control is then passed to decisionprocess 1380 for evaluation of the training sequences, then passed todecision process 1382 for a determination of whether the trainingsequences can be separated adequately. If an affirmative decision isreached, then control returns to decision process 1350. Alternately, ifthe separation is not adequate, then control passes to process 1384. Inprocess 1384, a control signal is sent to the BTS indicating that achange in spatial configuration is required. The BTS(s) might respond bychanging spatial configuration from single to multi-base, by changingthe number or spatial configuration of the antennas utilized at a singlebase, by changing a channel, etc. Control then returns to process 1350for processing of the next datastream.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations will be apparentto practitioners skilled in this art. It is intended that the scope ofthe invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

It should also be apparent that the described subscriber units may beused in a wide variety of other applications without departing from thescope of the present invention. One such application contemplates theuse of the described subscriber units in network access units that areused provision extend or otherwise supplement the range of existing highspeed telephone or cable networks. By way of example, a hybridDSL/wireless link is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 14. As is wellknown in the telecommunications art, in conventional high speed xDSLnetworks, high speed communications are made between a head end DSLmodem (typically located at a central office (CO) or optical networkunit (ONU)) and a remote DSL modem located on a customer's premises. Thelink between the central and remote modems is made on ordinary twistedpair wires. Thus xDSL system have the strong advantage of allowing highspeed communications using existing wiring infrastructure. However,twisted pair wiring has significant signal attenuation and therefore, itis typically difficult or impossible to provide DSL service to customerswho are located too far (e.g. more than 2 or 3 miles) from the centraloffice/ONU. Further, even among customers within the coverage area, theloading coils and the bridge taps which are used around the binders oftwisted pair wires that connect the modems, as well as other potentialobstacles may make DSL technology difficult to implement in manycircumstances.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the range and/or accessibilityof the DSL network is extended by placing a head end DSL modem 1430 inproximity to the remote DSL modem 1425. A suitable xDSL protocol (suchas ADSL, VDSL, etc.) and modulation technique (such as DMT, DWMT, CAPs,etc.) is used to communicate between the remote DSL modem 1425 locatedat the customer premises and the head end DSL modem 1430 located at anappropriate location that is within range of the customer premises. Byway of example, the head end DSL modem 1430 may be located at theterminal server 1410 on a nearby telephone pole 1432 from which thetwisted pair drop 1435 originates that serves the customer premises. Thehead end DSL modem 1430 then provides the raw input data stream to thenetwork access unit (subscriber unit) 1440 that communicates withappropriate BTSs 1445 as described above. Of course, in embodimentswhere a plurality of different remote DSL modems within the sameneighborhood are being serviced, the head end DSL modem may multiplexthe data streams from the various xDSL connections.

It is noted that the location of the described network access units maybe widely varied based on the needs of a particular system. Oneadvantage to placing the network access units at the terminal servers isthat it provides a readily accessible location where installation isrelatively easy. Also, terminal servers are often located on a telephonepole as illustrated in FIG. 14. This may be advantageous in that toptelephone poles are relatively higher as compared to many otherpotential deployment locations, which may provide a clearer path betweenthe network access unit 1440 and the BTS transceiver. This, of coursemay result in increased data speeds. It should be appreciated that thedescribed arrangements can bring DSL service to a wide variety oflocations using the POTS (plain old telephone service) infrastructure.

Referring next to FIG. 15 another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. In this embodiment, the network access unit 1440 isconnected to a plurality of cable modems 1460 via an appropriate cable1470. Any suitable cable including hybrid fiber co-axial (HFC) cables,co-axial cables or fiber cables may be used as cable 1470. Like thepreviously described hybrid DSL link, the illustrated hybrid cable linkprovides the possibility of expanding the range of high speed datacommunications using existing infrastructure.

As suggested above, the described subscriber unit can be used as a nodein virtually any network to facilitate communications between thatnetwork and other devices and/or networks. For example, with the growingpopularity of home networks, a subscriber unit can be used as a node ina home network. Alternatively, a subscriber can be used in officenetworks and/or any other type of local area, wide area, or othernetworks.

Another networking concept that has attracted some attention lately isvehicle based networking. For example, people have contemplated wiringcarriers such as buses, airplanes, ships and other vehicles withnetworks that provide multiple nodes within the vehicle for use bypassengers. The described spatial multiplexing based subscriber unitswhich take advantage of a wireless link are particularly well adapted toproviding high speed access for any vehicle based network.

Referring next to FIG. 16, yet another deployment possibility for thesubscriber units will be described. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 16, the subscriber unit 1601 is utilized as a wireless interfacefor a repeater BTS 1610 in a cellular network. Various parties haveproposed and implemented the concept of using repeater BTSs in cellularnetworks. Generally, a repeater BTS 1610 is designed to extend thecoverage area of a master BTS 1620 and/or cover dead spots in the masterBTSs coverage area. The repeater BTS simply repeats the signals beingtransmitted by the master BTS. The link between the master BTS and therepeater link can be either a wireless link or a wired link. Given thehigh data rates that are possible using the spatial multiplexing basedsubscriber units, it should be apparent that the described subscriberunits are particularly well suited for use in repeater BTSs.

Although a few specific deployments have been described, it should beappreciated that the described spatial multiplexing based subscriberunits may be deployed in a wide variety of other situations as well.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless remote unit comprising: a plurality of spatially separate antennas; a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of substreams of a datastream on an assigned channel of a multiple access protocol, to a station of a wireless network by applying each substream to an associated one of the spatially separate antennas.
 2. The wireless remote unit of claim 1, further comprising a receiver to receive a control signal from the station and wherein the transmitter varies the number of applied substreams in response to the control signal.
 3. The wireless remote unit of claim 1, wherein the multiple access protocol is selected from at least one of a group of multiple access protocols consisting of: code-division multiple access, frequency-division multiple access, time-division multiple access, space-division multiple access, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), wavelength division multiple access (WDMA), wavelet division multiple access, orthogonal division multiple access (ODMA) and quasi-orthogonal division multiple access techniques.
 4. The wireless remote unit of claim 1, wherein the remote unit communicates with a first network to provide the first network with access to the wireless network.
 5. The wireless remote unit of claim 4, wherein the first network is one selected from the group consisting of a home network, a vehicle based network and a local area network.
 6. The wireless remote unit of claim 1, wherein the transmitter applies transmit processes of at least one of diversity, space coding, space-time coding, space frequency coding, beam forming and interference canceling.
 7. The wireless remote unit of claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a parser for parsing the datastream into the substreams.
 8. The wireless remote unit of claim 7, wherein the receiver receives a mode signal from the station and wherein the parser parses the datastream into a variable number of substreams and avoids parsing of each datastream in response to the mode signal.
 9. The wireless remote unit of claim 8, wherein the parser avoids parsing of each datastream in response to a modulation rate of each substream.
 10. The wireless remote unit of claim 7, further comprising a detector to detect a mode of the datastream and to generate a corresponding mode signal and provide the mode signal to the parser.
 11. The wireless remote unit of claim 7, the datastream includes a voice mode and a data mode and wherein the parser avoids parsing of the datastream for a voice mode signal and parses the datastream into a variable number of substreams for a data mode signal.
 12. The wireless remote unit of claim 7, wherein the datastream includes a high bit rate mode and a low bit rate mode and wherein the parser avoids parsing of a low bit rate datastream, and parses a high bit rate datastream into a variable number of substreams.
 13. The wireless remote unit of claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises: a spatial processor to separate a composite signal received by the spatially separate antennas into estimated substreams, and a combiner to combine the estimated substreams into a corresponding subscriber datastream.
 14. The wireless remote unit of claim 13, wherein the receiver signals the station when a change of a spatial transmission configuration is required in order to resolve the composite signals into estimated substreams.
 15. A method comprising: receiving a control signal from a wireless station at a remote unit in a wireless network; forming a plurality of substreams from a datastream at a remote unit, wherein the number of substreams formed is determined in response to the control signal; and transmitting the substreams in parallel from spatially separate antennas of the remote unit on an assigned channel.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising applying at least one of transmit processes of at least one of diversity, space coding, space-time coding, space frequency coding, beam forming and interference canceling to the substreams before transmitting.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming a plurality of substreams is in response to a modulation of each substream.
 18. A remote unit comprising: a processor; and a memory for storing instructions, the instructions when operated on by the processor, causing the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a control signal from a wireless station at a remote unit in a wireless network; forming a plurality of substreams from a datastream at a remote unit, wherein the number of substreams formed is determined in response to the control signal; and transmitting the substreams in parallel from spatially separate antennas of the remote unit on an assigned channel.
 19. The remote unit of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise receiving a mode signal from the station and wherein forming includes parsing the datastream into a variable number of substreams and avoiding parsing of each datastream in response to the mode signal.
 20. The remote unit of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise signaling the station when a change of a spatial transmission configuration is required in order to resolve received signals into estimated substreams. 